Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ: SOXQ)

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The Fund generally will invest at least 90% of its total assets in the securities that comprise the Underlying Index. Strictly in accordance with its guidelines and mandated procedures, Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq or the Index Provider) compiles the Underlying Index, which is a modified market-capitalization weighted index designed to measure the performance of the 30 largest companies listed in the United States that are engaged in the semiconductor business, as determined by the Index Provider.

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Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF

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Las acciones de Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm y más suben tras los resultados de Taiwan Semiconductor, a pesar de las nuevas restricciones de EE.UU.

Acciones de chips de IA suben tras informe optimista de Taiwan Semiconductor

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Los racks Blackwell de Nvidia enfrentan retrasos por problemas técnicos. Las sanciones de EEUU podrían afectar hasta el 50% de sus ingresos.

Nvidia enfrenta retrasos por problemas en racks Blackwell y sanciones de EEUU

The past week was a rollercoaster for&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). The tech giant dodged a bullet with the new reciprocal tariffs, only to face potential supply chain disruptions. Plans to shift iPhone production from China to India emerged, while rising costs and AI delays led to a price target cut. The week ended with the EU slapping Apple with a hefty fine, triggering a political backlash in Washington. Here&#8217;s a recap of the week&#8217;s major events.
Apple Dodges Tariffs, But Supply Chain Woes Loom
Apple managed to sidestep steep tariffs on Chinese-made electronics, thanks to an exemption granted by former President Donald Trump. However, leading analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warns that Apple&#8217;s supply chain could still face significant disruptions in the coming months.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44781528/apples-preemptive-iphone-stockpile-could-disrupt-supply-chain-amid-looming-semiconductor-tariffs-warns-top-analyst-says-this-may-be-cupertinos-best-option-beyond-white-house-talks">Read the full article here.</a>
Apple&#8217;s India Shift Amid Tariff and Geopolitical Pressures
Reports suggest that Apple plans to import most iPhones sold in the U.S. from India by the end of 2026. This move would require Apple to double its annual iPhone output in India to over 80 million units.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45014074/apple-plans-iphone-shift-from-china-to-india-amid-tariff-pressures-geopolitical-risks">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45026632/bill-gates-says-luckily-his-daughter-phoebe-gates-never-asked-him-to-back-her-business" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill Gates Says &#8216;Luckily&#8217; His Daughter Phoebe Gates Never Asked Him To Back Her Business</a>
Bank of America Cuts Apple&#8217;s Price Target Over AI Delays, Rising Costs
Bank of America has cut its price target for Apple due to fears of looming tariffs and rising supply chain costs, despite near-term sales being fueled by early iPhone buyers.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44985682/apples-ai-delays-rising-cost-pressures-trigger-price-target-cut-from-bank-of-america">Read the full article here.</a>
Analysts Lower AAPL Stock Price Target Amid Anticipated Tariffs, Supply Chain Concerns
UBS analyst David Vogt has lowered the price target for Apple shares from $236 to $210 in anticipation of widespread tariffs, despite a year-over-year rise in iPhone revenue for the March quarter.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44973883/analysts-slash-aapl-stock-price-target-amid-anticipated-tariffs-supply-chain-concerns-a-lose-lose-choice">Read the full article here.</a>
EU&#8217;s Hefty Fine on Apple Sparks Backlash in Washington
The European Union&#8217;s enforcement of its Digital Markets Act led to a fine of approximately $540 million on Apple, triggering political backlash in the U.S. and potentially igniting new U.S.-EU trade tensions.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44972575/trumps-team-blasts-eus-nearly-800-million-fine-on-apple-and-meta-as-extortion-could-us-retaliate-against-the-digital-markets-act">Read the full article here.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Apple's Tariff Dodging, Production Shifts, And EU Fines: This Week In Appleverse

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the markets, with significant shifts and potential economic shocks looming on the horizon. From the unique advantage of the US in navigating economic shifts due to its dollar-denominated debt, to the escalating tariff war initiated by President Donald Trump, the economic landscape is rife with uncertainty. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories that shaped the week.
Dollar-Denominated Debt: A Privilege for US Policymakers
Amidst the ongoing market shifts, the U.S.&#8217;s unique position as the issuer of the world&#8217;s reserve currency provides it with a significant advantage. According to Bob Elliot, co-founder, CEO, and CIO of Unlimited and former investment committee member of Bridgewater Associates, the US can prioritize domestic economic conditions due to its debt being denominated in US dollars.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44971850/us-policymakers-are-privileged-says-expert-as-its-debt-in-usd-can-help-avoid-balance-of-payment-crisis">Read the full article here.</a>
Trump&#8217;s Trade War: Deals, Higher Taxes, and Potential Recession Avoidance
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>) predicts that the ongoing tariff war could lead to agreements between the U.S. and its trade partners, along with a significant rise in tax rates. The global investment strategy team at JPMorgan Wealth Management has projected that the effective tax rate could surge to between 10% and 20%.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891073/donald-trumps-trade-war-jpmorgan-predicts-deals-higher-taxes-and-potential-recession-avoidance">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44994275/gold-now-worth-100x-more-than-silver-analysts-say-its-time-to-buy-the-underdog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gold Now Worth 100x More Than Silver: Analysts Say It&#8217;s Time To Buy The Underdog</a>
Trump&#8217;s Approval Rating: A Mixed Bag
Despite economic uncertainty, President Donald Trump&#8217;s approval rating stands at 45% in a new Gallup poll. However, an Economist/YouGov poll shows a 16 point drop since he took office in January.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44890428/trumps-gallup-approval-stands-at-45-topping-same-point-in-first-presidency-but-hes-down-16-in-economist-survey">Read the full article here.</a>
Recession on the Horizon?
As the global trade war escalates due to unprecedented U.S. tariffs, Peter Mallouk, the CEO of Creative Planning, has mapped out three possible economic scenarios, with the worst-case outcome forecasting a deep recession and a potential stock market plunge of up to 60%.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44644834/recession-imminent-analyst-flags-60-market-crash-risk-under-worst-tariff-scenario">Read the full article here.</a>
Trump&#8217;s Tariffs: A Potential $30 Trillion Blow
Former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence H. Summers warns that the tariffs imposed by President Trump could cost the economy $30 trillion, describing them as the "most expensive and masochistic" move by the U.S.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44622754/tariffs-are-most-expensive-and-masochistic-could-cost-30-trillion-to-the-economy-erasing-300k-per-family-explains-former-treasury-secretary-larry-summers">Read the full article here.</a>
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Economics

US Dollar Dominance, Trump's Trade War, And The Threat Of Recession: This Week In Economy

The week brought a flurry of news, with major developments in the political and economic spheres. From President Donald Trump&#8217;s second term being described as &#8216;chaotic&#8217; and &#8216;scary&#8217; by voters to the closure of a key climate diplomacy office, the news cycle was anything but dull. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories:
Trump&#8217;s Second Term: Chaos and Fear?
A recent poll reveals that a significant number of voters describe President Donald Trump&#8217;s second term as &#8220;chaotic&#8221; and &#8220;scary.&#8221; The New York Times/Siena College poll shows that 66% of registered voters label Trump&#8217;s second term as &#8220;chaotic,&#8221; while 59% call it &#8220;scary.&#8221; The poll also indicates a considerable disapproval rate for Trump&#8217;s handling of major issues.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45027947/trumps-second-term-viewed-as-chaotic-and-scary-by-majority-of-voters">Read the full article here.</a>
Rubio Shuts Down Climate Office
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has decided to dismantle the Office of Global Change, a move that has alarmed global climate advocates. The unexpected announcement has left employees reeling, with no clear timeline for when the closure would be finalized.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45027993/rubio-shutters-climate-office-alarming-global-climate-advocates">Read the full article here.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/45027755/yale-classmates-urge-bessent-to-reconsider-trump-white-house-role-treasury-secretary-calls-it-an-honor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale Classmates Urge Bessent To Reconsider Trump White House Role — Treasury Secretary Calls It an &#8216;Honor&#8217;</a>
Trump&#8217;s Approval Drops Amid Economic Concerns
A new poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that President Trump&#8217;s approval rating is taking a hit as Americans express concern about the economy&#8217;s trajectory amid rising consumer costs and potential recession risks.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/45027881/trumps-approval-plummets-as-tariffs-bite-americans-expect-skyrocketing-prices-and-shrinking-wallets">Read the full article here.</a>
Trump Open to Millionaires Tax?
In a recent interview, President Trump expressed openness to a tax increase on millionaires, despite previous opposition. He noted that his main concern is the potential impact on his electoral prospects.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45026565/trump-signals-possible-support-for-millionaires-tax-amid-election-concerns-recalls-george-bushs-promise-he-said-read-my-lips-and-lost-an-election">Read the full article here.</a>
Trump&#8217;s Change of Heart on Autonomous Vehicles
There is renewed optimism for the autonomous driving sector, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration updating regulations that could make testing and regulation easier. This comes after President Trump previously opposed autonomous vehicles.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45022642/trump-change-of-heart-or-musk-influence-president-once-said-would-keep-autonomous-vehicles-from-operating-on-american-roads">Read the full article here.</a>
Letitia James Denies Mortgage Fraud Claims
New York Attorney General Letitia James is fighting back after a Trump administration official referred her to the Justice Department for alleged mortgage fraud. Her lawyer, Abbe Lowell, labelled the referral &#8220;improper political retribution&#8221; and connected it to her prior legal action against Trump.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45002822/letitia-james-attorney-blasts-mortgage-fraud-claims-as-improper-political-retribution">Read the full article here.</a>
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Politics

Trump's Second Term, Climate Office Closure, Millionaires Tax, And More: This Week In Politics

Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), the world's largest company with a $3.04 trillion market capitalization, designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, and accessories worldwide.
It is set to report its Q2 2025 earnings on May 1, after the market close. Wall Street analysts expect the company to post EPS of $1.61, up from $1.53 in the prior-year period. According to Benzinga Pro, quarterly revenue is expected to reach $94.07 billion, up from $90.75 billion a year earlier.
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</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Bought Apple Stock 10 Years Ago</h2>
The company's stock traded at approximately $32.15 per share 10 years ago. If you had invested $10,000, you could have bought roughly 311 shares. Currently, shares trade at $199.74, meaning your investment's value could have grown to $62,128 from stock price appreciation alone. However, Apple also paid dividends during these 10 years.&nbsp;
Apple's dividend yield is currently 0.52%. Over the last 10 years, it has paid about $19.77 in dividends per share, which means you could have made $6,149 from dividends alone.&nbsp;
Summing up $62,128 and $6,149, we end up with the final value of your investment, which is $68,277. This is how much you could have made if you had invested $10,000 in Apple stock 10 years ago. This means a total return of 582.77%. In comparison, S&amp;P 500 total return for the same period is 200.20%.
Trending: The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">See which asset class has outpaced the S&amp;P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Could The Next 10 Years Bring?&nbsp;</h2>
Apple has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a price target of $236.43 based on the ratings of 29 analysts. The price target implies more than 18% potential upside from the current stock price.
On Jan. 30, the company announced its Q1 2025 earnings, posting revenues of $124.3 billion, beating analyst estimates of $124.13 billion, as reported by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/01/43355688/apple-q1-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-iphone-sales-slip-installed-base-climbs-to-all-time-high-our-best-quarter-ever">Benzinga</a>. The iPhone maker reported adjusted EPS of $2.40, beating analyst estimates of $2.36.
The past week has been turbulent for Apple. Despite a temporary tariff exemption, concerns over chip tariffs have raised fears of supply chain disruptions. Apple's stock has plunged 23% since April 2, amid escalating U.S.-China tensions. CEO Tim Cook reportedly secured the exemption of Apple's China-produced electronic products from import duties through talks with U.S. officials. Meanwhile, rumors about a foldable iPhone are gaining momentum. Check out this <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44890054/apples-week-of-tariffs-iphone-stockpile-stock-slides-and-more-this-week-in-appleverse">article by Benzinga</a> for a full recap of Apple's recent key developments.
Given the historical stock price appreciation and expected upside potential, growth-focused investors may find Apple stock attractive. Furthermore, they can benefit from the company's solid dividend yield of 0.52% and consistent hikes. Apple has raised its dividend consecutively for the last 13 years.
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

If You Invested $10K In Apple Stock 10 Years Ago, How Much Would You Have Now?

This week, markets across the board have remained relatively calm, with price action reflecting a clear consolidation phase. The Nasdaq, for instance, has formed an inside bar on the weekly chart, meaning the current candle is trading within the high and low of last week's range. This often signals indecision or a buildup before a larger move.
Bitcoin is following a similar pattern. After several weeks of upward movement, the cryptocurrency has entered a tight trading range, consolidating just below key resistance levels. This type of price behavior typically precedes a breakout, and the direction of that breakout could set the tone for Bitcoin&#8217;s next major move.
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Weekly Analysis: Bitcoin Trading Within a Defined Range
On the higher timeframe, Bitcoin remains locked within a clear weekly range. Earlier this week, it dipped below the swing low from March 10, capturing liquidity beneath that level before bouncing back. This kind of price action suggests that buyers are still active and willing to step in at lower prices.
However, Bitcoin has not yet pushed through the key range high near 88,742. This level has now acted as resistance twice, reinforcing its importance. If price returns to this area, how it reacts will be crucial. A clean break above it could open the door to a move toward the 92,000s and possibly set the stage for a run toward all-time highs. On the other hand, another rejection could mark the formation of a local top and increase the chances of a deeper pullback.
Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
Key Levels and Market Scenarios to Watch
As of now, Bitcoin is holding above 83,000, showing signs of strength despite the consolidation. If it continues to trade above this level and gains momentum, the next upside targets to monitor are 88,000 and then the 92,000s. These levels will be essential in determining whether the current consolidation leads to continuation or reversal.
Should Bitcoin break below 83,000 with conviction, particularly on daily closes, a move down toward the low 80,000s becomes likely. If that support fails to hold, price could revisit the mid-74,000s, an area of previous consolidation and strong demand.
For bullish momentum to remain intact in the bigger picture, Bitcoin needs to stay above 66,000, which marked the low around the election period. As long as price holds above this key higher low, the broader uptrend remains in place, and any pullbacks can be viewed as potential buying opportunities.
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Wrapping Up
Bitcoin is currently in a state of pause after a strong run-up, with price coiling beneath resistance and holding above key support. This kind of consolidation often precedes a decisive move, and traders should be prepared for volatility to return once the range is broken. Whether the breakout comes to the upside or downside will depend on the strength of the next move around the 88,000 and 83,000 zones. As always, staying patient and reactive to price behavior at these key levels will be critical for navigating the next phase in Bitcoin's trend.
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BTC Price Action Tightens: Market In Consolidation Phase Ahead Of A Potential Break

Joe Rogan and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) don't usually end up in the same political conversation, let alone agreeing, at least not lately. But on a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ry_B1XNUk">episode</a> of the &#8220;Joe Rogan Experience,&#8221; the podcast host found common ground with the longtime progressive senator on a key issue: the growing power of ultra-wealthy tech leaders.
&#8220;Bernie Sanders is right in that you should be scared of oligarchs,&#8221; Rogan said. &#8220;Oligarchs shouldn't be running our government.&#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">&quot;Bernie Sanders is right that you should be scared of oligarchs and oligarchs shouldn&#39;t be running our government. He&#39;s right in that regard.&quot; &#8211; <a href="https://twitter.com/joerogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joerogan</a> <a href="https://t.co/gg7LyaiDMc">pic.twitter.com/gg7LyaiDMc</a>
&mdash; Armand Aviram (@armandaviram) <a href="https://twitter.com/armandaviram/status/1914106494133428531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rogan and Dillon Discuss Tech Power and Control</h2>
Rogan made the comment during a conversation with comedian Tim Dillon, as the two discussed U.S. export controls on Nvidia (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) chips and China's ability to bypass them. They talked about how fake companies in places like Bhutan and Singapore are buying the restricted chips and funneling them back to China.
&#8220;They're both innovating and stealing at the same time,&#8221; Rogan said. Dillon added, &#8220;Can there be anything done to stop their rise?&#8221; Rogan responded, &#8220;Nah, not at this point.&#8221;
The two also raised concerns about the future of AI and the influence of big tech leaders. Ironically, Rogan is friends with one of the most powerful—and many would say most disruptive—people in the world right now: Elon Musk.
Rogan recalled a story from venture capitalist Marc Andreessen about a moment when the government tried to shut down early AI efforts entirely.
&#8220;The government came in and said we&#8217;re not going to let you do this,&#8221; Rogan said. &#8220;Not only are we not going to let you do this, we&#8217;re not going to let anybody do this.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sanders Warns Against Billionaire Power Grab</h2>
The conversation echoed Sanders&#8217; recent warnings in which he blasted President Donald Trump's proposed budget and economic policies. Sanders said Republican tax proposals would <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43578641/bernie-sanders-says-we-must-not-savage-programs-for-working-families-to-provide-huge-tax-breaks-for-billionaires">deliver massive breaks to billionaires</a> while gutting programs for working families.
&#8220;At a time of unprecedented income and wealth inequality, when so many of our people are struggling to put food on the table, we must not savage programs for working families to provide huge tax breaks for billionaires,&#8221; Sanders said.
He also criticized Trump&#8217;s call for a federal funding freeze, which was later overturned in court, arguing it could have harmed Medicaid, food assistance, and support for homeless veterans. Sanders has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43234188/bernie-sanders-the-7-25-federal-minimum-wage-is-shameful-in-2025-america">pushed for raising the federal minimum wage</a> to at least $17 per hour and investing in affordable housing.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shared Worries About the Future</h2>
Both Rogan and Sanders seem to agree, at least on paper, that unchecked power—whether it&#8217;s from the government or Silicon Valley—poses a threat. Rogan warned that a single tech leader could gain enough influence to reshape society entirely.
&#8220;If someone had control of some tech company, let&#8217;s say it&#8217;s an AI company&#8230; and he&#8217;s worth $3 trillion now and decides to lobby and change a bunch of laws and influence politicians and his company starts donating to certain politicians,&#8221; Rogan said. &#8220;You could change the fabric of society with enough money and enough power.&#8221;&nbsp;
However, Rogan didn&#8217;t reflect on the fact that this is almost verbatim what Musk has done, from influencing public discourse on X to securing massive government contracts through his companies.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Musk also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44900136/you-pay-for-what-you-get-bernie-sanders-slams-elon-musks-270-million-trump-donation-says-hes-now-most-powerful-in-government">donated $270 million</a> to support Trump&#8217;s 2024 presidential campaign, making him the largest individual donor of that election cycle—a move Sanders has strongly condemned as yet another example of oligarchic influence on American politics.&nbsp;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">Are you rich?</a> Here&#8217;s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Social Media Weighs In</h2>
While Rogan&#8217;s comments resonated with some, others pointed out the contradictions in his stance.
&#8220;Yet Rogan simps for said oligarchs on a daily basis lol,&#8221; one user commented on X.
Another said, &#8220;Would someone tell him that he&#8217;s defining his deity Elon Musk?&#8221;
One person noted the irony: &#8220;I wonder if he gets the irony about Elon Musk running our government for 3 months. Or his steps to manifest that.&#8221;
Another added, &#8220;Well, Rogan&#8217;s been having a lot of oligarchs as of late: [Meta CEO Mark] Zuckerberg, Andreessen, etc., etc., so what is he complaining of.&#8221;
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Joe Rogan Agrees With Bernie Sanders, Saying 'He's Right That You Should Be Scared Of Oligarchs; They Shouldn't Be Running The Government'

Jason Calacanis is openly critical of President Donald Trump&#8216;s impact on the economy. In a series of tweets, the well-known tech investor criticized Trump for creating what he described as &#8220;complete market chaos&#8221; just 92 days into his new term.
&#8220;I&#8217;m basing it on just facts actually&#8230;&#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">President Trump was elected to improve the economy; objectively, the only thing he's accomplished in 92 days is complete market chaos. These Trump Truth Tantrums certainly play with the MAGA base, but they destabilize markets. <a href="https://t.co/njI8aKTVXO">pic.twitter.com/njI8aKTVXO</a>
&mdash; @jason (@Jason) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason/status/1914369470098706852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Calacanis, a well-known investor and entrepreneur who is known for speaking plainly, responded directly to Trump's April 21 Truth Social <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114376239725335883">post</a>. In it, Trump claimed inflation was nearly gone and called for immediate interest rate cuts, blaming Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44918830/jim-cramer-takes-a-dig-at-trumps-criticism-of-powell-you-would-actually-buy-this-rally-if-trump-hadnt-criticized-the-fed-chair">being too slow</a>.
&#8220;There is virtually No Inflation,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;But there can be a SLOWING of the economy unless Mr. Too Late, a major loser, lowers interest rates, NOW.&#8221;
Calacanis was not impressed. He <a href="https://x.com/Jason/status/1914369470098706852">posted on X</a>, &#8220;President Trump was elected to improve the economy; objectively, the only thing he's accomplished in 92 days is complete market chaos.&#8221;
When others challenged him for being subjective, Calacanis stood his ground, submitting charts and saying, &#8220;I&#8217;m basing it on just facts actually… bonds, dollar, markets, layoffs and survey data.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">I'm basing it on just facts actually… bonds, dollar, markets, layoffs and survey data <a href="https://t.co/3rzwNGYGy4">pic.twitter.com/3rzwNGYGy4</a>
&mdash; @jason (@Jason) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason/status/1914396563981361452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Tension</h2>
Two days later, Trump told reporters that his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods would &#8220;come down substantially, but it won't be zero.&#8221; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44942449/trump-pledges-substantial-cut-in-china-tariffs-but-refuses-to-make-it-zero-if-they-dont-make-a-deal-we-will-set-the-deal">called the tariffs unsustainable</a> and said a de-escalation was likely.
Trump's tariffs and his threats toward the Federal Reserve have spooked investors. Markets briefly rebounded on Bessent's comments, but overall volatility remains.&nbsp;
In response to someone posting &#8220;Just say it, he&#8217;s destroying the economy,&#8221; Calacanis <a href="https://x.com/Jason/status/1914410211298959492">said</a>, &#8220;He's rattled it. It would be VERY hard to destroy the US economy&#8230; you could mute it 10-35%, but not kill it.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mixed Signals from the White House</h2>
Despite high tariffs, Trump has tried to strike a friendly tone with China. &#8220;We're going to live together very happily and ideally work together,&#8221; he <a href="https://youtu.be/DiXbQaDzB_c?si=5nM5eOlkUWmqOKgu&amp;t=807">said</a>.
Meanwhile, China continues to push back, warning other nations against striking trade deals with the U.S. that could harm Chinese interests. Beijing has also pressured companies in South Korea to stop exporting any products with Chinese minerals to U.S. defense contractors.
Calacanis summed it up plainly in his original post: &#8220;These Trump Truth Tantrums certainly play with the MAGA base, but they destabilize markets.&#8221;
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Investor Jason Calacanis Says, 'These Trump Truth Tantrums Certainly Play With The MAGA Base, But They Destabilize Markets'

In a significant move towards autonomous transportation,&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is gearing up for its robotaxi debut in June. 
What Happened: According to reports, Tesla has been secretly testing its self-driving software in Austin&nbsp;with hundreds of test drivers. 
Approximately 300 Tesla test operators are driving around Austin&#8217;s streets&nbsp;using prototypes of the company&#8217;s&nbsp;self-driving software, as part of an initiative known as &#8220;Project Rodeo.&#8221;
In preparation for the launch, Tesla has been accumulating &#8220;critical miles&#8221;, conducting training events with local first responders, forming&nbsp;a team of remote operators,&nbsp;and testing its robotaxi app with&nbsp;Autopilot engineers in Austin and&nbsp;San Francisco.
Test drivers have been used by Tesla since 2016 to fine-tune its advanced driver-assist software. However, the efforts have been intensified&nbsp;over the past year, four&nbsp;current and former employees revealed. The company aims to launch the service by June 1, insiders said <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-robotaxi-launch-austin-june-internal-details-2025-4">to</a> Business Insider.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44657033/elon-musk-loses-11-billion-as-tesla-stock-plummets-in-wake-of-new-trump-tariffs">Elon Musk Loses $11 Billion As Tesla Stock Plummets In Wake Of New Trump Tariffs</a>
During Tesla&#8217;s earnings call last week, CEO Elon Musk announced that Austin residents would soon be able to pay for rides&nbsp;in a self-driving Model Y.&nbsp;He estimated that the program&nbsp;would initially&nbsp;launch with 10 to 20&nbsp;cars.
Despite the progress, some employees have voiced concerns about the ambitious deadline and the challenges associated with logging critical miles. These tests, conducted&nbsp;in complex or high-risk driving&nbsp;situations, are crucial for assessing the self-driving system&#8217;s ability to&nbsp;handle edge cases without human&nbsp;intervention.
Tesla has also been working&nbsp;closely with local emergency services.&nbsp;The company met with the&nbsp;city&#8217;s autonomous vehicle task force,&nbsp;which includes members of the&nbsp;Austin Fire Department, in December.
The company&nbsp;has begun demoing its robotaxi&nbsp;app with employees. The app enables Tesla employees to avail&nbsp;free rides within a geofenced&nbsp;region, a virtual boundary that indicates&nbsp;where the vehicle can safely&nbsp;operate.
Why It Matters: The launch of Tesla&#8217;s robotaxi service in Austin marks a significant step in the company&#8217;s journey towards autonomous transportation. 
The successful implementation of this service could potentially revolutionize the transportation industry, making Tesla a key player in the autonomous vehicle market. However, the ambitious deadline and the challenges associated with testing in complex driving situations highlight the difficulties in achieving full autonomy. 
The company&#8217;s collaboration with local emergency services and the testing of its robotaxi app indicate its commitment to ensuring safety and efficiency in its autonomous operations.
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TSLA

Tesla Prepares for Robotaxi Reveal in June, Insiders Share Secrets

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is dismantling a key climate diplomacy office, a move that is throwing U.S. international environmental efforts into disarray just months <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44928877/youre-just-being-foolish-if-you-ignore-climate-change-says-ross-gerber-he-believes-tesla-is-central-to-the-solution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ahead of critical global talks</a>.
On Thursday, staff at the Office of Global Change were verbally informed that the unit, which has overseen U.S. engagement in international climate negotiations, would be dissolved, according to three individuals who requested anonymity out of fear of professional retaliation, Politico <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/24/rubio-eliminates-climate-office-00308505" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
The unexpected announcement left employees reeling, with no clear timeline for when the closure would be finalized.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42770035/bank-of-america-citigroup-exit-climate-alliance-as-trump-policies-shift-energy-priorities" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bank of America, Citigroup Exit Climate Alliance As Trump Policies Shift Energy Priorities</a>
One State Department official warned that the decision could severely undermine America&#8217;s position at the upcoming COP30 climate summit, calling it &#8220;the worst possible time&#8221; to retreat from the global stage, the report notes.
Another source criticized the move as strategically &#8220;dumb,&#8221; suggesting it would create a leadership vacuum that China could exploit.
A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed to Politico that eliminating the office aligns with President Donald Trump&#8216;s mandate to withdraw from international climate agreements. In fact, the Office of Global Change had supported initiatives that hobbled U.S. interests under prior administrations and was no longer necessary under the current policy direction, the report further adds.
The closure of the Office of Global Change follows the earlier elimination of the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, a separate but closely linked unit, as part of a broader State Department restructuring plan announced by Rubio earlier this week.
Both offices had played major roles in steering U.S. efforts related to the Paris Agreement and other global climate initiatives.
While Trump has taken steps to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, the U.S. remains a participant in the underlying UN treaty framework.
It remains unclear whether the United States will dispatch any delegation to the COP30 summit scheduled to be held in Brazil this November.
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Markets

General

Rubio Shutters Climate Office, Alarming Global Climate Advocates

In a recent poll, a significant number of voters said that President Donald Trump&#8216;s second term has been &#8220;chaotic&#8221; and &#8220;scary.&#8221; The poll also indicates a considerable disapproval rate for Trump&#8217;s handling of major issues.
What Happened: The New York Times/Siena College <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/us/politics/trump-poll-approval.html?login=email&amp;auth=login-email">poll</a> reveals that 66% of registered voters describe Trump&#8217;s second term as &#8220;chaotic,&#8221; while 59% label it as &#8220;scary.&#8221;
The survey also indicates that 47% of Republican voters and 75% of independents concur with the term &#8220;chaotic.&#8221; However, fewer Republicans (36%) and independents (61%) agreed with the term &#8220;scary.&#8221;
Trump&#8217;s handling of all of the specific issues in the poll was found to be negative. His highest approval was for his handling of immigration, with 47% approving and 51% disapproving.
His lowest approval ratings were for his management of the Ukraine-Russia war and the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, with only 35% and 31% approval respectively.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44891004/meet-the-key-five-people-who-are-shaping-trumps-economic-agenda">Meet the Key Five People Who Are Shaping Trump&#8217;s Economic Agenda</a>
Overall, 42% approved of Trump&#8217;s second stint in the Oval Office so far, while 54% disapproved. The poll surveyed 913 voters nationwide between April 21-24.
Why It Matters: This poll comes at a time when the President&#8217;s approval ratings have been consistently low. The perception of his second term as &#8220;chaotic&#8221; and &#8220;scary&#8221; by a majority of voters could potentially impact the upcoming mid-term elections.
The significant disapproval rate for Trump&#8217;s handling of key issues, particularly the Ukraine-Russia war and immigration, may also influence voters&#8217; decisions in the future. 
The high disapproval rate among independents, who often play a crucial role in elections, is another factor that could have significant political implications.
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Trump's Second Term Viewed as 'Chaotic' and 'Scary' by Majority of Voters

When it comes to understanding everyday financial concepts, most Americans are still struggling. According to new findings from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation's <a href="https://www.finra.org/media-center/newsreleases/2025/finra-foundation-releases-state-state-financial-knowledge-findings">National Financial Capability Study</a>, just 4% of respondents answered all seven questions on a basic financial literacy quiz correctly. And while some areas — like inflation — show improvement, the overall results highlight the need for stronger <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44130633/you-just-talk-about-life-and-money-is-part-of-life-rachel-cruze-talks-on-teaching-finances-to-kids-based-on-how-dave-ramsey-raised-her">financial education</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What the Quiz Measures</h2>
The FINRA quiz focuses on seven questions that cover common financial topics: interest rates, inflation, bond prices, mortgages, stocks, debt, and probabilities. These are all issues that come up in everyday decisions — from choosing between a 15- or 30-year mortgage to deciding whether to invest in a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/44016490/21-year-old-pro-investor-challenges-dave-ramsey-show-hosts-on-index-funds-vs-mutual-funds-80-of-mutual-funds-dont-beat-the-market">stock or mutual fund</a>.
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In total, more than 25,500 adults across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. took the quiz. On average, respondents answered only 3.3 questions correctly, gave 1.5 incorrect answers, and said "don't know" to 2.2 questions.
Only 27% of participants got at least five questions right. Just 4% answered all seven correctly.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Could You Answer These?</h2>
Here's a sample of the types of questions included in the quiz:
Question: Suppose you owe $1,000 on a loan and the interest rate you are charged is 20% per year compounded annually. If you didn&#8217;t pay anything off, at this interest rate, how many years would it take for the amount you owe to double?
Answer choices:
<ul>
<li>Less than 2 years</li>
<li>2 to 4 years</li>
<li>5 to 9 years</li>
<li>10 or more years</li>
<li>Don't know</li>
</ul>
The correct answer is 2 to 4 years, but only about 30% of participants got it right, according to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/04/19/american-consumers-inflation-financial-literacy-quiz-education/83145630007/">USA Today</a>. This concept — how fast debt can grow when interest compounds — is key to avoiding long-term credit card problems.
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Another question focused on inflation and savings:
Question: Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account is 1 percent a year and inflation is 2 percent a year. After one year, would the money in the account buy more than it does today, exactly the same or less than today?
Correct answer: Less than today.
FINRA's data shows that 58% of Americans answered this one correctly in 2024, up from 53% in 2021. Among people aged 55 and older, 72% got it right — the highest score of any age group.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Some States Scored Higher Than Others</h2>
Financial literacy also varied significantly by state. According to FINRA, Minnesota topped the list, with nearly 35% of residents answering five or more questions correctly. Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Colorado, and Wyoming rounded out the top five.
Meanwhile, in the lowest-ranking states — Louisiana and Mississippi — fewer than 20% of participants answered at least five questions correctly.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Financial Literacy Matters</h2>
Failing to understand basic financial principles like compound interest or inflation can have real-world consequences. Consumers who don't fully grasp how credit card interest works, for example, may end up carrying balances they can't afford — especially with today's average credit card rates around 20%, according to <a href="https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/current-interest-rates/">Bankrate</a>.
&#8220;Knowledge of everyday financial concepts remains a challenge for many Americans,&#8221; said Gerri Walsh, president of the FINRA Foundation. She added that although awareness of inflation has improved, more education is needed to help people navigate complex financial decisions.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take the Quiz Yourself</h2>
Want to see how you stack up? The <a href="https://www.finra.org/financial_knowledge_quiz">full seven-question quiz</a> is available through the FINRA Foundation's website.
Whether you're brushing up on old skills or learning something new, understanding how your money works is always a smart move — no matter your age.
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Only 4% Of Americans Aced This 7-Question Financial Literacy Quiz — Can You?

Ramit Sethi is a financial expert who wrote the book "I Will Teach You To Be Rich." He isn't afraid to share unconventional takes on personal finance and share which strategies bother him the most.
He's been critical of the Financial Independence, Retire Early movement. FIRE is a personal finance strategy that involves accumulating enough money to retire at a young age. There are many Reddit groups that discuss Sethi and FIRE, and those forces came to a head in a <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/comments/1dv4e9o/ramit_sethis_problems_with_the_fire_movement/">recent Financial Independence Reddit post</a>.
"Frugal FIRE can make you miserable," a Redditor explained Sethi's stance in a post.&nbsp;
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Some people agreed with Sethi, while others believe that his advice caters mostly to rich people. These were some of Reddit's takes on Sethi's beef with the FIRE movement.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Spending To Maximize Your Enjoyment</h2>
One of the Redditors who came in defense of Sethi viewed the financial guru's remarks as an emphasis on how you spend your money. Sethi advocates for spending money on things that you enjoy so you can live a more fulfilling life. He's against dying with a stack of cash and living cheaply.
"I think Ramit was talking about spending in general. The spending muscle he&#8217;s talking about is learning how to spend in a way that maximizes your enjoyment [of] life and what you value, not just ‘spending on stuff'. In other words, learning that buying the latest gadget doesn&#8217;t actually make you happy, but spending hours and hours of research finding the cheapest phone available, or depending on an unreliable or unsafe car, in order [to] save a few dollars, doesn&#8217;t make you happy either," the Redditor suggested.
It also aligns with the original poster's summary of Sethi's opinion on the FIRE movement. The financial guru believes that "FIRE folks need to develop healthy spending." Saving money is great, but it's okay to spend some of it.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">You Don't Have To Spend On Stuff To Be Happy</h2>
One Redditor in the comments views Sethi as "mostly a skilled marketer" and doesn't believe there are "strong principles behind what he says."
This Redditor didn't agree with Sethi's stance on spending, especially the notion of buying things that make you happy.&nbsp;
"I find that spending on stuff at this point has no lasting impact on my happiness. Maybe I get a small bump when I buy something new, but that item quickly becomes part of the background and doesn&#8217;t generate any long-term happiness," the Redditor stated.
Although Sethi has a good message on not restricting yourself, that good idea can turn into impulsive purchases. Some restraints [are] good, such as fasting for a day. It's hard to give up food for a day, but your body can repair itself via autophagy if you give your digestive system a break. Similarly, restraining yourself from making purchases can help you build wealth and have less stress when you retire.
You also don't have to buy new things all the time to be happy. Less is more since you will assign a higher value to the few things that you decide to buy.
"I have things that make me happy each time I use them. But they last, so I&#8217;m not buying a new one all the time," another Redditor said.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Understanding The FIRE Movement</h2>
Many people have embraced the FIRE movement. While it's good that many people care about creating financial independence, it can be easy to forget the underlying pillars of a movement when more people join. One Redditor offered a concise summary of FIRE that's relevant for Sethi's FIRE beef.
"The first tenant of FIRE is literally: Build the life you want. Then save for it."
Building the life you want may mean retiring earlier so you don't have to go to a job that you hate. Some people can't wait to escape their jobs, and that long-term goal may be more valuable to them than any item or vacation. Some people are happier when they make the occasional purchase or go on a vacation, but others can't wait to live a life that is more on their terms.
However, FIRE pursuers can benefit from taking occasional days or weeks off to connect with friends, go to events, pursue their hobbies, and enjoy new experiences. Although the FIRE crowd doesn't entirely agree with Sethi, his perspective on living a Rich Life can be valuable to people as they balance long-term retirement goals with enjoying life right now.
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Reddit Dissects Ramit Sethi's Beef With The FIRE Movement: 'Frugal FIRE Can Make You Miserable'

A Reddit <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/economy/comments/1k54s6p/does_anybody_here_honestly_believe_that_real/">post</a> questioning the future of manufacturing in the U.S. sparked an avalanche of opinions this week. The original poster was straightforward: "You&#8217;d have to pay Americans $40-$50 an hour to work inside a manufacturing building, probably higher with benefits."&nbsp;
And they argued that bringing back domestic production would make consumer goods like iPhones way more expensive: "That $1,300 iPhone would easily be $3,000."
So, is a real comeback for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44880439/80-of-americans-say-the-country-would-be-better-off-with-more-manufacturing-jobs-but-only-25-want-one-themselves">American manufacturing</a> on the table?
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Automation, Not Labor, Is the Real Trend</h2>
The most common response was that even if manufacturing comes back, humans won't be the ones doing most of the work. "If it does, it will be mostly automated," one user wrote, pointing to Canon's fully automated camera factory in Japan as a real-world example. Another added, "New Chinese car factories are just <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/43422818/beyond-self-driving-cars-factory-automation-takes-center-stage">supervised robots</a> with a few humans for quality control."
One user summed it up with a bit of dark humor: "The factory of the future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man is there to feed the dog. The dog is there to stop the man from touching the equipment."
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Labor Costs Are Just One Part of the Puzzle</h2>
Others pushed back on the $40/hour claim. One Redditor noted that most manufacturing jobs in the U.S. pay around $17 to $25 per hour. Managers might make $30 to $35. Still, even that adds up quickly for employers compared to overseas options.
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Another chimed in with data: "Chinese factory workers make [around] $32,000 a year." In other words, they're not working for $5 a day anymore.
Furthermore, Gen Z is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44881768/nearly-4-million-manufacturing-jobs-are-opening-as-boomers-retirebut-gen-z-is-not-interested">not particularly interested in factory jobs</a>, despite the increasing number of openings as older workers retire.&nbsp;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Building Factories Isn't a 90-Day Project</h2>
Even if companies wanted to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., it wouldn't be fast or cheap. "Preconstruction alone for a new facility would take about a year," said one construction worker.&nbsp;
A user in project engineering added, "As an engineer, the logistics of moving production to the other side of the world presents a host of logistical challenges that would take years to resolve."
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tariffs, Politics, and Broken Promises</h2>
Several commenters pointed to policy uncertainty as a huge barrier. As one put it, "Thing is, these trade policies will be reversed in the next election with a new President. Not many companies are going to move their manufacturing back to the U.S. because it takes years to build a factory and by then, these policies will be a distant memory."&nbsp;
Others saw the situation as more chaotic than malicious. "I honestly don't believe in the &#8216;evil genius with a decades-long plot&#8217; thing anymore. But I get the appeal. It's comforting to think there's a plan. Even an evil plan. Because the alternative—that these people are just not very smart and it's all chaos—is even more terrifying."
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'Does Anybody Honestly Believe Manufacturing Is Coming Back To The US?' One Person Asked. Says, 'You'd Have To Pay Americans $40–$50/Hr'

NBA legend Shaquille O&#8217;Neal is instilling in his children the importance of self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
What Happened: O&#8217;Neal, who has a net worth of approximately $500 million, has made successful investments in real estate, technology, and entertainment. 
He owns 155 Five Guys restaurants and nine Papa John&#8217;s franchises in Atlanta. Despite his wealth, the former LA Lakers player insists his children create a business plan before he considers giving them any money.
In a 2021 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/earnyourleisure/#">interview</a> O&#8217;Neal stated, &#8220;My kids are older now. They kinda upset with me &#8211; not really upset &#8211; but they don&#8217;t understand. Because I tell them all the time. We ain&#8217;t rich. I&#8217;m rich. You&#8217;ve got to have Bachelor&#8217;s or Master&#8217;s degrees and then if you want me to invest in one of your companies, you&#8217;re going to have to present it. Bring it to me, I&#8217;ll let you know. I&#8217;m not giving you nothing."
O&#8217;Neal, a father of six, emphasizes the importance of education and self-reliance. He hopes his children will become professionals and business owners. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/03/44348149/shaq-once-spent-1-million-in-a-day-on-luxury-then-realized-taxes-took-a-huge-cut">Shaq Once Spent $1 Million in a Day on Luxury, Then Realized Taxes Took a Huge Cut</a>
&#8220;Listen, I got six kids. I would like a doctor, somebody to own a hedge fund, a pharmacist, a lawyer, someone that owns multiple businesses, someone to take over my business. But I tell them I&#8217;m not going to hand it to you. You gotta earn it,&#8221; he added. 
He also revealed his philosophy of &#8220;respectable nepotism&#8221; in another interview, where he discussed the requirement of a business plan before considering a handout.
Despite his fame, O&#8217;Neal has distanced himself from the &#8216;celebrity&#8217; status, stating, "These celebrities are going freaking crazy and I don&#8217;t want to be one. I denounce my celebrity-ness today. I&#8217;m done with it."
Why It Matters: O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s unique approach to parenting underscores the importance he places on financial independence and self-reliance. By requiring his children to present a business plan before considering financial support, he is teaching them the value of entrepreneurship and hard work. 
His philosophy of &#8220;respectable nepotism&#8221; further emphasizes his belief in merit-based success, even within his own family. 
This approach could potentially inspire other parents, particularly those in the public eye, to adopt similar strategies in their own parenting.
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Why Shaq Won't Share His $500 Million Fortune With His Kids: 'We Ain't Rich. I'm Rich. I'm Not Going to Hand It to You, You Gotta Earn It'

A majority of Americans is expressing concern about the economy&#8217;s trajectory amid rising <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44884282/analyst-predicts-recession-is-coming-despite-financial-crisis-put-on-hold-warns-rich-kids-insulated-from-their-own-actions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumer costs and potential recession risks</a>, and President Donald Trump&#8216;s approval rating is taking the hit.
In a <a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/three-quarters-of-the-public-expect-tariffs-to-increase-consumer-prices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new poll</a> conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research between April 17-21, roughly three-quarters of adults predict that tariffs will drive up consumer prices, while about six in ten disapprove of the president&#8217;s handling of economic and trade matters.
Sixty-one percent of respondents said they are troubled by soaring grocery bills, while about half voiced anxiety about an impending economic downturn and the affordability of major purchases.
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Meanwhile, fewer participants expressed immediate fears about the availability of goods on store shelves.
Fifty-two percent of those surveyed oppose tariffs altogether, and 59% believe Trump exceeded reasonable limits in imposing them.
However, public opinion remains split on tariffs&#8217; impact on jobs: about 40% anticipate job growth, while a similar share foresees job losses. Half of respondents expect an uptick in domestic manufacturing.
Views about the economy remain sharply divided along party lines. Approximately six in ten Republicans rate the economy as healthy, while more than eight in ten Democrats rate it poorly.
Concern about a near-term recession runs far higher among Democrats than Republicans, the survey found.
Democrats Oppose Tariffs More Strongly Than Republicans Support Them
Opposition to tariffs is notably stronger among Democrats—82% are against them, including 62% who strongly object. Meanwhile, 55% of Republicans favor tariffs, with 27% expressing strong approval, according to the poll. 
Despite political divisions, majorities across parties agree that tariffs are likely to push consumer prices higher.
Financial anxiety is another point of concern, with 52% of Democrats and 50% of independents citing major personal finance stress, compared to 34% of Republicans. 
Notably, perceptions of economic conditions have flipped dramatically since Trump&#8217;s inauguration, with Republicans now far more optimistic and Democrats markedly more pessimistic than in previous years.
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Trump's Approval Plummets As Tariffs Bite, Americans Expect Skyrocketing Prices and Shrinking Wallets

Seattle-based Loti AI has secured $16.2 million in Series A funding to power the next wave of deepfake <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44838892/booz-allen-bets-big-on-ai-defense-tech-with-scout-ai-investment">defense tech</a>.
Led by Khosla Ventures and joined by FUSE, Bling Capital, Ensemble, Alpha Edison, and K5 Tokyo Black, the $16.2 million raise brings Loti's total funding to $23 million, marking a pivotal shift in how seriously the industry is treating digital identity defense, according to<a href="https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/loti-ai-deepfake-protection-announces-public-service-1236339546/"> Variety</a>.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Celebrity Protection in the Age of AI</h2>
Loti AI builds protection software for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44718837/currently-wine-co-raising-1-43m-before-april-22-backed-by-celebrities-and-11k-fans">celebrities</a>, influencers, politicians, athletes, and everyday consumers navigating a world where their faces and voices can be cloned in seconds. According to<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/seattle-startup-loti-lands-16m-to-help-celebs-politicians-and-ceos-detect-deepfakes/"> GeekWire</a>, the startup uses proprietary facial and voice recognition to monitor global digital content, flag unauthorized uses, and remove manipulated or infringing media, from deepfake endorsements to fake social media accounts.
Founded in 2022 by Luke Arrigoni, Rebekah Arrigoni, and serial entrepreneur Hirak Chhatbar, the company is quickly emerging as a leader in likeness protection. Loti's tech began with a focus on high-profile individuals but recently expanded to include consumer-facing tools that help anyone reclaim control over their digital presence.
The funding comes at a pivotal moment. According to<a href="https://variety.com/2025/music/news/no-fakes-act-reintroduced-in-congress-google-1236364878/"> Variety</a>, the re-introduction of the No Fakes Act, a bill designed to help artists and public figures protect their voice and likeness, has earned support from tech giants like Google and Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>).
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This tailwind in Washington is giving Loti an even stronger foothold as legal infrastructure begins to catch up with AI's rapid evolution. "They come to us to protect their likeness, their IP rights, and now increasingly to manage how they participate in the generative AI economy," said Loti CEO Luke Arrigoni, according to <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/seattle-startup-loti-lands-16m-to-help-celebs-politicians-and-ceos-detect-deepfakes/">GeekWire</a>.
The company has also formed high-level partnerships with talent agencies WME and CAA, as well as Dolphin Entertainment, whose subsidiaries like 42West, The Door, and Elle Communications now have access to Loti's suite of tools, GeekWire writes.
Khosla Ventures sees this moment as necessary. "Our thesis around Loti is simple. Generative AI enables new deepfake technology that creates new risks and challenges around fraud and trust – challenges that celebrities, influencers, and brands are not prepared for today," Jon Chu, a partner at Khosla Ventures, said in a <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250415846205/en/Loti-AI-Announces-$16.2M-Series-A-Funding-Round-Led-By-Khosla-Ventures">statement</a>. "And Loti has world-class technology paired with a category-leading product that has proven itself by protecting A-list celebrities, household name brands, and individuals and local businesses from threats.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Loti is Quietly Building Market Dominance</h2>
Loti's platform has other features beyond detection and takedown. It equips clients with the tools to govern how their likeness is handled across digital ecosystems, spanning everything from social media to streaming sites to AI datasets. The system operates as both a shield and control panel, either by initiating removals or staying ahead of misuse through active monitoring.
The startup is also facing competitive pressure, most notably from Sony-backed (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>) Vermillio AI, which raised $16 million last month, according to a <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250228026074/e/nVermillio-Completes-$16-Million-Series-A-Funding-Round-Led-by-Sony-Music-and-DNS-Capital">statement</a>. But Loti isn't flinching. &#8220;We see new entrants to our space from time to time,&#8221; said Arrigoni, &#8220;but they are often deterred by the massive technical complexity of monitoring the internet for face and voices so they pivot out of our space. While I'm sure everyone has decent tech, ours is battle-hardened and bespoke to those that rely on these protections.&#8221;
Ranked No. 156 on GeekWire's list of top Pacific Northwest startups, Loti is growing fast and showing no signs of slowing down. While revenue numbers remain under wraps, the client list is reportedly "growing exponentially."
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Sony Group Corporation American Depositary Shares

SONY

Khosla Ventures Leads $16.2M Series A In Loti AI, Backed By WME & CAA, To Shield Celebrities From Deepfake Threats

New Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins indicated a friendlier approach toward cryptocurrency during his tenure on Friday, highlighting the need for a clear regulatory policy to help the industry thrive in the U.S.
What Happened: During the cryptocurrency task force roundtable, Atkins emphasized the significance of blockchain technology in modernizing the financial system, predicting it to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, increase transparency, and mitigate risks.
&#8220;Market participants engaging with this technology deserve clear regulatory rules of the road,&#8221; Atkins said. &#8220;Innovation has been stifled for the last several years due to market and regulatory uncertainty that, unfortunately, the SEC has fostered.&#8221;
He expressed his enthusiasm to collaborate with market participants, President Donald Trump's administration, and Congress to create a &#8220;rational, fit-for-purpose&#8221; regulatory framework for crypto assets.
Atkins also expressed his appreciation for Commissioner Hester Peirce&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/02/43685991/sec-crypto-task-force-head-heister-peirce-was-asked-if-trump-melania-memecoin-launches-made-her-job-difficult-this-is-what-crypto-mom-said">persistent advocacy</a> for a logical cryptocurrency policy in the U.S., saying the nickname &#8220;Crypto Mom&#8221; was well-deserved.
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Why It Matters: Atkins was sworn in as the 34th SEC chairman earlier this week, much to the delight of cryptocurrency supporters, including Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>) Chairman Michael Saylor, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/44962422/michael-saylor-says-newly-confirmed-sec-chair-paul-atkins-will-be-good-for-bitcoin">who viewed the leadership change</a> as &#8220;good&#8221; for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>).
Atkins' stance on cryptocurrency regulation marks a departure from his predecessor, Gary Gensler, who saw much of the crypto sector as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/10/41287244/sec-showdown-gary-gensler-defends-crypto-policy-while-commissioner-mark-uyeda-calls-it-dis">potentially violating</a> registration requirements. 
However, his ties with the cryptocurrency industry have raised concerns. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44468393/elizabeth-warren-questions-trumps-sec-pick-paul-atkins-on-ftx-ties-conflict-of-interest-over-trump-memecoin">questioned him</a> on his involvement with the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, potentially causing a conflict of interest scenario.
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/apis?utm_source=benzinga.com&amp;utm_campaign=article-bottom" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"></a>

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

$BTC

MSTR

SEC Chair Paul Atkins Says Crypto Deserves Clear Regulatory Rules, Praises 'Crypto Mom' Hester Peirce's Efforts

Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares have been under pressure as the company faces falling demand for its vehicles all over the world and a brand crisis amid CEO Elon Musk's involvement in politics. The stock has lost 33% in value so far this year. Tesla's deliveries <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/02/tesla-tsla-q1-2025-vehicle-delivery-and-production-numbers.html">fell</a> 13% in the first quarter year over year, while sales in Europe <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/02/business/tesla-sales/index.html#:~:text=Tesla%20does%20not%20break%20out,grew%2028%25%20on%20the%20continent.%23">dropped</a> a whopping 49% in the first two months of the quarter.
Ross Gerber, the co-founder and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth &amp; Investment Management, said in an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcOVZf7FWEg&amp;t=97s">interview</a> with Schwab Network last month that Musk's reputation is one of the factors negatively impacting the company due to the executive's political affiliations.&nbsp;
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Gerber said that consumers need to "feel good" about buying a Tesla, but currently, concerns over political associations and the risk of negative attention are hurting customer sentiment. He said consumers do not want to be involved in the controversies related to the company, and the "fear" of how people will look at you if you are driving a Tesla car is impacting the company.
"We still own a lot of Tesla. I love the company, but the woes seem to just keep adding up, and the stock has come back to earth because the Musk positive has been offset now with Musk negative," Gerber said.
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Robo-Taxis Not Enough to Ignite Growth
Talking about Tesla's financials, Gerber said the company doesn't "look good" in terms of technicals and fundamentals, as it's going through brand and execution issues. He believes Wall Street's earnings estimates for Tesla are still high and are tied to robots and robo-taxis. Gerber called these "moonshot" projects and said Tesla needs to focus more on selling vehicles to consumers:
"The growth isn&#8217;t predicated on selling robots or robo-taxis. Its growth is predicated on selling vehicles to consumers," Gerber told Schwab Network. "So, you know, these projects in some ways like moonshots are like great opportunities for Tesla that I don&#8217;t think they should not do, but they should be addressing the vehicle market that made Tesla what it is.&#8221;
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Trump's Victory Turned Out To Be ‘Not Good At All'
Gerber said that Musk's "huge bet" on President Donald Trump initially seemed to pay off, with a widespread belief that Trump's victory would bode well for the company. However, things didn't turn out to be as expected, and the company is getting attacked "because of the CEO," he said.
&#8220;The perception at the time was like this is going to be great for Tesla, but now that he&#8217;s there, it&#8217;s like how is this good, and it turns out it&#8217;s not good at all. And now people are like burning Teslas," Gerber told Schwab Network.
Gerber said Tesla can go "meaningfully" higher if it meets Wall Street's earnings expectation of $3.80 next year. However, he doubts the company's ability to meet these estimates:
&#8220;If It doesn&#8217;t, Tesla could go meaningfully lower with a revaluation of what the [price-to-earnings ratio] should be, and maybe it should be 50, and then you&#8217;ve got some serious decline. So it&#8217;s not me who decides that, it&#8217;s the market," Gerber said.
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Image: Shutterstock

Ross Gerber Says Elon Musk A 'Negative' For Tesla Stock, Trump's Win Proved 'Not Good At All' For Company

A group of Yale University alumni publicly appealed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, urging him to reevaluate his position within the Donald Trump administration.
What Happened: An open letter dated Wednesday, signed by 140 Yale Class of 1984 alumni, alleged that the Trump administration is steering the U.S. toward an &#8220;authoritarian state, undermining democratic values in the process, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/25/yale-treasury-scott-bessent-trump-fascism-us.html">according</a> to CNBC.
The alumni implored Bessent, a member of the class, to &#8220;stand&nbsp;up for what you know&nbsp;to be right&#8221; and to reflect on his role in &#8220;enabling the descent of America&nbsp;into fascism.&#8221;
The letter cited Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, as having significant access to Americans&#8217; private data, as well as the violation of immigration laws through the &#8220;illegal seizure and incarceration&#8221; of people.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/45014792/trumps-700b-bet-on-ramp-the-13b-startup-poised-to-take-over-government-payments-with-25m-pilot-deal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump&#8217;s $700B Bet On Ramp: The $13B Startup Poised To Take Over Government Payments With $25M Pilot Deal</a>
In a response issued to CNBC, Bessent expressed disappointment in his classmates, criticizing their lack of engagement in the political process. 
&#8220;It is equal parts odd and sad that a group of people, most of whom I have never met, feel they have standing in my life choices due to a tenuous overlap from 40 years ago,&#8221; Bessent added.
He defended his role in the Trump administration, describing it as the &#8220;honor&#8221; of his lifetime. &#8220;President Trump is the man in the arena. And the American people elected him—not these critics.&#8221;
Why It Matters: DOGE, an entity<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41927289/trump-appoints-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-doge-targeting-bureaucracy-and-65-trillion-federal-spending-we-will-not-go-gently" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;tasked with cutting federal spending</a>&nbsp;and abolishing excess regulations, has faced allegations of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44859945/whistleblower-alleges-doge-involved-in-major-cybersecurity-breach-at-us-labor-agency">collecting and combining sensitive personal data</a> from government systems, including the Treasury Department.
Moreover, the administration has faced c<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44779739/oops-hes-alive-and-secure-trump-administration-updates-status-on-mistaken-deportation-to-el-salvador">riticism for its deportation policy</a> after a Maryland resident was mistakenly sent to El Salvador due to &#8220;administrative error.&#8221; The Supreme Court backed a lower court ruling for officials to assist in the return of the person.
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Image: Shutterstock/Maxim Elramsisy

Yale Classmates Urge Bessent To Reconsider Trump White House Role — Treasury Secretary Calls It an 'Honor'

In a bold move to redefine the sales landscape, Artisan, a San Francisco-based <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44777981/openai-and-andreessen-horowitz-lead-43m-round-for-cybersecurity-startup-taking-on-ai-scammers-deepfakes-and-voice-spoofs">startup</a>, has secured a $25 million Series A funding round.
The round was led by Glade Brook Capital, with participation from notable investors including Y Combinator, HubSpot Ventures (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HUBS#NYSE">HUBS</a>), Oliver Jung, Day One Ventures, BOND, Soma Capital, and Sequoia Scout, according to<a href="https://www.artisan.co/blog/artisan-series-a"> Artisan</a>.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Artisan's Origins and Founding Mission</h2>
Founded in 2023 by Jaspar Carmichael-Jack and Sam Stallings, Artisan aims to revolutionize the workplace by replacing repetitive tasks with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44522899/anthropic-ceo-says-ai-could-write-90-of-code-in-3-to-6-months-warns-every-industry-will-be-affected">AI</a> employees, known as &#8220;Artisans.&#8221;
According to the<a href="https://www.artisan.co/ai-sales-agent"> startup&#8217;s page</a>, their first product, Ava, is an AI Business Development Representative that automates the entire outbound sales process. Ava identifies leads, conducts research, crafts personalized messages, and schedules meetings across multiple channels, including email and LinkedIn.
Ava is powered by a multi-agent system and a real-time context engine that monitors the web for buying signals such as job changes, new funding, or leadership moves. This allows her to engage prospects at the optimal time with tailored messages. According to <a href="https://www.artisan.co/blog/artisan-series-a">Artisan</a>, companies like SumUp have reported receiving eight to 15 positive replies per week from hard-to-reach small and medium-sized businesses without increasing their sales staff.​
Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>
Ava&#8217;s capabilities extend to managing email deliverability with a suite of tools designed to optimize every aspect of email campaigns. This includes email warm-up procedures and placement tests to ensure that emails reach their intended recipients. By automating these processes, Ava allows businesses to scale their outbound sales efforts effortlessly, freeing up valuable time and resources that can be redirected toward other important areas. ​
Artisan&#8217;s approach differs from traditional AI integrations by offering fully autonomous AI employees that take over specific job functions. The company believes that AI employees should be held to the same standards as human workers: they must perform their tasks effectively or not at all. This philosophy has driven the development of Ava from a supervised tool to an independent agent capable of managing complex outbound strategies and optimizing for pipeline impact.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What's Next for Artisan</h2>
​The recent funding will be used to accelerate research and development, expand the AI workforce, and enhance the Artisan Sales platform. The startup plans to introduce two new AI employees later this year: Aaron, an Inbound SDR Artisan who will qualify and route inbound leads, and Aria, a Meeting Assistant Artisan responsible for scheduling, reminders, and post-call summaries.
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Artisan&#8217;s provocative &#8220;Stop Hiring Humans&#8221; marketing campaign has sparked conversations about the role of AI in the workplace. While the campaign was designed to attract attention, CEO Carmichael-Jack clarified in a <a href="https://www.artisan.co/blog/stop-hiring-humans">blog</a> that the company&#8217;s goal is not to eliminate human workers but to free them from mundane tasks so they can focus on more creative and strategic work.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scaling Human Talent Alongside AI Innovation</h2>
​With a growing team of 35 employees and plans to hire 22 more, Artisan is set to lead the charge in transforming the workplace through AI, according to<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/09/artisan-the-stop-hiring-humans-ai-agent-startup-raises-25m-and-is-still-hiring-humans/"> TechCrunch</a>.
The company&#8217;s approach and strong investor backing suggest a promising future for AI-driven automation in business operations.
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Image: Shutterstock

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