🚀 Democrats blame AI for rising electricity prices

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Market Overview
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Year To Date Performances:

1. Democratic senators are blaming the Trump White House’s rush to expand AI data centers and its rollback of renewable energy initiatives for rising electricity prices across the U.S. In a letter Monday, Senators Richard Blumenthal and Bernie Sanders demanded details on what steps the administration has taken to protect consumers from the surge in power demand driven by companies like Meta, Alphabet, Oracle, and OpenAI. Electricity prices have risen about 6% year over year, a key issue in recent Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia. The senators argue the administration’s fossil-fuel-heavy “energy emergency” policy has worsened grid strain, while renewable projects that could relieve pressure remain stalled. With AI power demands now matching entire cities, the fight over how to meet that demand—cleanly or otherwise—is becoming a central political and economic battle.

2. After years of losses from Trump’s trade war, American soybean farmers are back in China trying to revive a once-lucrative export market. At the China International Import Expo, Illinois farmer Scott Gaffner said his family farm— which once sold 40% of its soybeans to China—hasn’t shipped a single bushel there this year. Despite China lifting some retaliatory tariffs, a 13% duty still applies to U.S. soybeans, keeping trade volumes below pre-war levels. The White House claims Beijing will buy up to 25 million metric tons annually in coming years, though China hasn’t confirmed the figures. Farmers remain cautiously hopeful, but as China deepens ties with Brazil and Argentina, they know “smooth sailing” in U.S.-China trade may be more wish than forecast.

3. America’s airways remain in chaos as the government shutdown stretches into its second month, grounding over 1,600 flights Monday and leaving air traffic controllers without a second paycheck. President Trump, escalating tensions, threatened to dock the pay of controllers who don’t show up—while promising $10,000 bonuses to those who do. The shutdown has forced airlines like United, Delta, and American to cut flights and offer extra pay to staff just to keep operations running. Industry groups warn that controller fatigue is eroding safety as workers juggle unpaid shifts and second jobs. Though the Senate made overnight progress on a funding deal, the FAA says flight restrictions will stay until safety stabilizes—meaning even if the shutdown ends, smooth skies remain a distant promise.

   Headlines

   1. President Trump has backed a new Senate proposal to end the government shutdown.

   2. Trump is proposing allowing 50-year mortgages for homebuyers to increase housing affordability.