America This Week: Trillion Dollar Deals, Affordable Eggs, Autopen Scandals (May 12 – 18, 2025)

Reading Time: 19 Minutes

| By Scribe | May 18, 2025 |

It’s been an insanely wild week for America, domestically and abroad.

Here are just a few (but very far from all) things that happened this week:

• Trump’s Middle East Deals: Trump’s Middle East trip secured over $2 trillion in deals, including Qatar Airways’ $96 billion Boeing contract, with tech giants like Google and Oracle praising his pro-business leadership.
• Biden Autopen Claims: Trump alleges Biden used an autopen for official documents, linking it to election fraud claims, while mocking Biden’s leadership amid ongoing “witch hunt” accusations.
• Egg Price Drop: Egg prices fell 39.4% in April, ending “eggflation” and undercutting Democratic criticisms of food costs, offering relief to consumers and retailers.
• House GOP Bill Struggles: House Republicans face RINO resistance on a bill to extend Trump’s tax cuts, reform Medicaid, and cut climate subsidies, with disputes over SALT deductions and fiscal balance.
• Turkish Investment in SC: Mega Metal’s $34 million South Carolina facility will produce 55 million pounds of copper wire annually, creating 135 jobs and boosting the local economy.

• Venezuelan Hitman Arrest: ICE arrested Venezuelan gang member Anthony Fabian Marin La Torre, a Biden-era illegal immigrant, for contract killings, highlighting improved U.S.-Venezuela data sharing.
• Comey “86” Scandal: James Comey’s cryptic “86 47” post sparked accusations of a threat against Trump, prompting Senator Cotton to demand an FBI investigation into Comey’s actions.
• Qatar’s Jet Gift: Qatar gifted Trump a $400 million Boeing 747-8i, sparking debate over its luxury focus compared to Air Force One’s military-grade capabilities.
• Colorado Crime Drop: Denver and Aurora saw homicide drops of 58% and 36% in 2025, credited to ICE’s Tren de Aragua crackdown, though local Democrats obstruct federal efforts.
• AOC District Crime Surge: Crime in AOC’s Bronx-Queens district surged 70% since 2019, with residents criticizing her absence and support for NYPD budget cuts.
• Homan on Immigration: Border Czar Tom Homan highlighted rescuing a trafficked child and the challenge of locating 300,000+ unaccompanied minors from Biden’s policies.

• Tapper’s Hypocrisy Alleged: Joe Concha accused CNN’s Jake Tapper of downplaying Biden’s cognitive decline in Original Sin, with audio revealing Biden’s memory struggles.
• Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis: Joe Biden was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason 9), hormone-sensitive, prompting treatment discussions and Trump’s well-wishes.
• Mexican Navy Crash: The Cuauhtémoc’s collision with the Brooklyn Bridge killed two cadets, injured 17, and shocked witnesses during its bicentennial voyage.
• Palm Springs Bombing: “Pro-mortalist” Guy Bartkus detonated a car bomb at a fertility clinic, killing himself and injuring four, with the FBI investigating it as terrorism.

President Trump’s Trillion Dollar Triumph in the Middle East

On President Donald Trump’s Middle East trip this week, U.S. companies signed deals worth over $2 trillion, earning accolades from executives. Boeing and GE Aerospace highlighted major contracts, like Qatar Airways’ $96 billion Boeing aircraft purchase, attributing success to Trump’s support.

The White House noted these agreements were part of $600 billion in Saudi Arabia, $1.2 trillion in Qatar, and $200 billion in UAE investments, with business leaders lauding Trump’s leadership.

Tech firms, including Google, Oracle, and Amazon, secured significant AI and cloud infrastructure partnerships. Google’s Ruth Porat commended U.S.-Saudi innovation ties, and Oracle’s Safra Catz praised Trump’s decisive leadership, with the administration touting these as proof of President Trump’s pro-business global economic impact.

Joe Biden’s Autopen Situation Intensifying

President Trump has intensified allegations that the Biden administration used an “autopen” to sign official documents, tying it to a broader narrative of a stolen 2020 election. Referencing a Heritage Foundation report, Trump claims the autopen’s use indicates election fraud, insisting he won by millions of votes.

He accuses former officials like James Comey and Joe Biden of political corruption. In Truth Social posts, Trump labels investigations against him a “witch hunt” by an “unselect committee” that destroyed evidence. He further ridiculed Biden with an autopen signing image, emphasizing his ongoing battle over the election’s legitimacy.

Affordable Eggs End Democrats’ Favorite Talking Point

Egg prices plummeted 39.4% in April, the steepest monthly drop for a staple food, after months of high costs driven by avian flu-related supply issues. With flocks recovering and production stabilizing, prices have normalized.

This offers consumers relief from inflation and allows retailers and restaurants to cut costs without losing profits. The timing aligns with Easter, a high-demand period, marking the end of ‘eggflation’ and making brunches and baking more affordable. This price drop also undercuts a Democratic talking point about food costs used against the Trump administration, which was largely overlooked during Biden’s term.

House’s Big Beautiful Bill Facing RINO Hurdles

House Republicans face internal strife, fueled by RINO posturing, as they race to finalize a sweeping legislative package before Memorial Day, aiming to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, reform Medicaid, and slash Democratic climate tax credits.

Disputes focus on the SALT deduction cap, the timeline for Medicaid work requirements, and the scope of green-energy subsidy cuts. Speaker Mike Johnson insists on a deficit-neutral bill, emphasizing that gains in one area must be offset by reductions elsewhere to ensure fiscal responsibility.

RINO Republicans, often aligned with Democratic interests, push for a higher SALT cap to favor high-tax state residents, while traditional GOP Republicans slam this as a giveaway to the wealthy. GOP Republicans also demand quicker implementation of Medicaid work requirements, potentially before the proposed 2029 start, despite political risks.

On energy policy, GOP Republicans seek a broad repeal of subsidies, but RINOs warn that aggressive cuts and restrictions on China-sourced materials could spike energy costs and disrupt ongoing projects.

Turkish Copper Wire Company Invests in South Carolina

A Turkey-based copper wire manufacturer, Mega Metal, is investing $34 million to establish a 91,000-square-foot facility in Fairfield County, South Carolina, to produce superfine electrolytic oxygen-free (EOF) copper wire. The project will create 135 new jobs and, once fully operational in September, the facility is expected to produce 55 million pounds of wire annually.

This marks Mega Metal’s first operation in South Carolina, strengthening its presence in the North American market. Mega Metal, with over 700 employees and distribution to more than 30 countries, aims to become a key player in the U.S. supply chain, supporting high-demand industries.

The investment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the region, as stated by board chairman Cuneyt Turgut, who emphasized contributing to South Carolina’s economy and industrial excellence. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster highlighted the economic boost and opportunities the project will bring to Fairfield County, noting the state’s thriving manufacturing sector and strong workforce.

U.S. Authorities Catch Venezuelan Hitman Let In During Biden Era

Federal law enforcement arrested Anthony Fabian Marin La Torre, a 42-year-old illegal immigrant wanted by Venezuela for four contract killings, on May 2 in Grapevine, Texas. Marin La Torre, a lieutenant in the “El Chamu” gang, crossed the U.S. border in 2022 and received a work permit from the Biden administration.

ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service detained him after Venezuela notified U.S. authorities of his criminal history on February 18, and he is now held at Prairieland Detention Center in Texas. Marin La Torre entered the U.S. near San Luis, Arizona, as part of a family unit and was charged as an inadmissible alien, later receiving a notice for an immigration court appearance in July 2025.

The Biden administration’s policies, coupled with Venezuela’s initial refusal to share criminal records, likely prevented Border Patrol from identifying his history at the time of entry. After President Trump’s return to office, Venezuela resumed sharing law enforcement data and accepting U.S. deportation flights, aiding efforts to apprehend such fugitives.

Disgraced Former FBI Director Engulfed in Self-Inflicted “86” Assassination Scandal

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) has urged FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate former FBI Director James Comey after Comey posted a cryptic Instagram message, “86 47,” interpreted by some as a violent threat against President Donald Trump. The term “86” can mean to “kill” or “execute,” per Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang, prompting accusations of an assassination call.

Comey deleted the post, claiming he was unaware of the violent connotation and opposed violence, but Cotton’s letter to Patel, citing Trump’s assertion that Comey “knew exactly what it meant,” demands a review of Comey’s actions during his FBI tenure.

Patel confirmed the FBI is coordinating with the Secret Service, which has primary jurisdiction, to investigate the post, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that DHS and the Secret Service are actively probing the threat.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called for Comey’s imprisonment, labeling the post a “direct threat” against Trump. Cotton’s letter, obtained by Breitbart News, highlights Comey’s history of politicized investigations, leaks, and bias against Trump, suggesting the post is part of a pattern of misconduct.

A senior congressional official described Cotton’s letter as “just the start,” emphasizing that Comey’s actions, especially given Trump’s past assassination attempts, warrant a thorough investigation into potential abuses of power.

Congressional sources indicated that Comey could face subpoenas and criminal charges if he fails to comply. A source close to the Trump administration praised Cotton as a “MAGA warrior” committed to holding Comey accountable for what they call a serious threat against the president.

Qatar’s Airplane Gift to Trump Causing Debate

The controversy over Qatar’s gift of a Boeing 747-8i to the Trump administration highlights key differences from the current Air Force One, a military-grade Boeing 747-200B (VC-25A).

Air Force One, in service since 1990, is designed for national security with features like military communications, in-flight refueling, and a medical suite, accommodating up to 70 passengers with a 7,800-mile range.

In contrast, the 747-8i, built in 2012, is a newer, larger (250 feet vs. 231 feet) luxury jet with modern fuel-efficient engines and lavish interiors, valued at $400 million, focused on comfort rather than military functions.

Air Force One, operated by the U.S. Air Force for official presidential travel, has undergone billions in upgrades since its $325 million original cost, while Qatar’s jet, previously used by the Qatari and Jordanian royal families for VIP transport, lacks military capabilities.

President Trump defended accepting the jet in an interview with Sean Hannity, arguing it benefits the country. The gifted 747-8i, with an 8,000-mile range and social-focused interiors like lounges, contrasts with Air Force One’s command-and-control design, raising questions about its role in official U.S. operations.

ICE’s Work Results in Major Drop in Colorado Homicide Rates

Homicides in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, dropped significantly in early 2025, with Denver seeing a 58% decline and Aurora a 36% decline compared to the previous year, per the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

This follows Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) aggressive crackdown on the Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang contributing to local chaos. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlin reported a 22.8% overall crime reduction, attributing the improved safety to these efforts.

Despite these gains, challenges persist, as a 24-year-old woman was killed in Aurora in July 2024 by a 15-year-old illegal migrant driver, who received a lenient probation and community service deal and is now seeking humanitarian asylum. The Trump administration prioritized immigration enforcement in the Denver area, arresting 538 illegal aliens, including gang members, during inauguration week.

However, local Democrats, including Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Colorado Governor Jared Polis, have obstructed federal efforts, prompting the Trump administration to sue Denver and state officials for hindering immigration enforcement.

Violent Crime Surges in AOC’s District While She Hangs Out Elsewhere

Since Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took office in 2019, major crimes in her Bronx and Queens congressional district have surged by 70%, nearly double the citywide increase, according to a New York Post analysis of NYPD data. The 110th Precinct in Queens, encompassing Roosevelt Avenue’s prostitution and gang issues, saw a 105% crime spike, the highest in any city precinct.

Local residents, like Elmhurst’s Guadelupe Alvarez, express frustration over AOC’s absence, accusing her of neglecting the district while focusing on her national profile. Community leaders and residents, including former AOC supporter Alvarez and Republican City Council candidate Ramses Frias, criticize Ocasio-Cortez for failing to address rampant issues like brothels, gang activity, rape, and assaults.

The Post reported that AOC supported deeper NYPD budget cuts during the defund the police movement, which led to the cancellation of a 1,163-officer cadet class. Despite Mayor Eric Adams’ “Operation Restore Roosevelt” reducing crime by 37% in 2025, the area’s crime rate remains significantly higher than in 2019, and AOC’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Border Czar Homan Sets Record Straight on Immigration Enforcement’s Noble Objectives

At the 2025 Republican National Lawyers Association’s National Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., White House Border Czar Tom Homan revealed that a 14-year-old unaccompanied alien child was rescued from sex trafficking by two adult males in Texas, just two days prior.

Homan highlighted the ongoing challenge of locating over 300,000 of the more than 500,000 unaccompanied children released into the U.S. during the Biden administration, many of whom he believes are victims of forced labor or trafficking. He emphasized the emotional toll on agents, noting the rescued girl is now receiving care from the Department of Homeland Security.

As a father himself, Homan expressed deep personal investment in protecting these children, countering media portrayals of agents as heartless. Homan recounts his own experiences with dying children during his career, including holding a dying child in his arms.

The Border Czar described the search for the missing children as one of the administration’s most daunting tasks, exacerbated by inadequate vetting and lack of fingerprinting under prior policies. The identities of the two adult males involved in the Texas case were not disclosed, nor were specifics of their criminal case.

In a separate incident in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, 34-year-old illegal alien Elia Antonio pleaded guilty to trafficking her own 12-year-old daughter, facing over 52 years in prison at her August sentencing.

Antonio allegedly arranged for her boyfriend, Juan Carlos Rocha Mejia, also an illegal alien, to pay $250 to be alone with the girl, who was sexually assaulted after being driven to a location in Oakfield. The girl escaped and reported the incident to police, leading to Rocha Mejia’s arrest on charges including first-degree sexual assault and child enticement.

CNN’s Jake Tapper Grilled for Hypocrisy on Biden Mental Decline Coverup

Fox News contributor Joe Concha criticized CNN host Jake Tapper for attempting to “rewrite history” in his new book, Original Sin. Concha alleges Tapper profited by downplaying former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline until after Biden’s disastrous June 27, 2024, debate.

Concha argued that Biden’s mental lapses, like failing to recognize George Clooney at a fundraiser, were obvious, yet Tapper and others in the media dismissed concerns, labeling critics like Lara Trump as conspiracy theorists. He accused Tapper of participating in a “media cabal” that defended Biden, only to shift narratives once Biden became politically expendable.

Newly released Axios audio from Biden’s interview with then-special counsel Robert Hur revealed Biden struggling to recall key dates, including his son Beau’s 2015 death and Donald Trump’s 2016 election.

During the interview, Biden appeared confused about timelines, asking if Trump was elected in 2017 and unsure of the exact date of Beau’s passing. The audio, withheld by the Biden administration despite Republican subpoenas, supports earlier Breitbart News reports of Biden’s mental lapses during the Hur investigation into his handling of classified documents.

In early 2024, Special Counsel Robert Hur investigated Biden’s “willful” retention of classified documents but declined to charge him, citing Biden’s “diminished mental acuity” and likelihood of being seen as a “sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” by a jury.

Hur’s report noted Biden’s memory issues made prosecution unlikely, as jurors might find reasonable doubt. The Trump administration is now considering releasing the full Biden-Hur interview to highlight Biden’s mishandling of classified materials, which were found in seven locations.

Joe Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, with a Gleason score of 9, indicating a high level of malignancy, and the cancer has spread to his bones. Diagnosed after experiencing urinary symptoms and the discovery of a prostate nodule, the cancer is hormone-sensitive, offering potential for effective management through hormone-deprivation treatments.

Biden and his family are consulting with physicians to explore treatment options. President Trump has expressed support and wishes for the former POTUS’s recovery. Biden’s health has long been a public concern, particularly during his presidency, with past medical procedures including the removal of a basal cell carcinoma in 2023 and a potentially pre-cancerous colon polyp in 2021.

His recent diagnosis comes amidst reflections on his age and health, as detailed in the book Original Sin by Jake Tapper, which sanctimoniously claims aides concealed the extent of his decline. Biden’s personal connection to cancer, through the loss of his son Beau to brain cancer in 2015, drove his administration’s “cancer moonshot” initiative, aiming to halve the cancer death rate over 25 years, a goal he described as a significant American achievement.

Mexican Naval Crash with Brooklyn Bridge Leaves Two Sailors Dead

A catastrophic crash occurred Saturday night when the Mexican Navy’s training ship Cuauhtémoc lost steering and collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, killing two cadets, América Yamilet Sánchez and Adal Jair Marcos, and injuring 17 others, four critically. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with screams and panic as the ship’s sails struck the bridge, causing sailors to fall from the masts.

Parkgoers and ferry passengers, including Elijah West and Matt Tibbitts, recounted the horrifying moment when the vessel’s masts snapped, with people taking significant falls, leaving onlookers in shock and disbelief. The Cuauhtémoc, carrying 277 crew members, was on a 170-day global voyage to celebrate the Mexican Navy’s bicentennial, having departed Cozumel on May 4 to visit 22 ports across 15 countries.

Ismari Romero, among those welcoming the ship at Pier 17, described the festive mood turning to terror as the crash unfolded. Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle García offered condolences, and the Mexican Navy pledged to return the deceased cadets’ bodies to their families. The incident left witnesses like photographer Aya Asan, who was at Brooklyn Bridge Park, grappling with the surreal tragedy.

Creepy Suicide Bomber of California Fertility Clinics Had Anti-Birth Views

On Saturday, a car bomb detonated by 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus outside the American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs killed him and injured four others, with the FBI labeling it an “intentional act of terrorism.” Bartkus, a Twentynine Palms resident who identified as a “pro-mortalist,” expressed anti-natalist views in a manifesto and 30-minute audio recording, opposing IVF and life creation due to a belief that existence without consent causes suffering.

The explosion, which damaged the fertility clinic but left its IVF lab and embryos unharmed, scattered debris across a 250-yard radius and was felt miles away. FBI agents and tactical teams swarmed Bartkus’s home in Twentynine Palms, about an hour from Palm Springs, evacuating the neighborhood as a precaution due to potential explosives, with reports of a controlled detonation.

Authorities found two rifles—an AK-47 and an AR-style rifle—along with ammunition near the exploded 2010 silver Ford Fusion. The FBI, alongside the Palm Springs Police and ATF, continues to investigate, with Akil Davis noting it as one of Southern California’s largest bombing investigations. Local residents, like Thomas Bickel, expressed shock and fear over the proximity of the threat, though officials confirmed no ongoing danger to the community.

Notable Mentions:

• Trump vs. Walmart: President Donald Trump accused Walmart of using tariffs as an excuse for price hikes, demanding they absorb the costs given their high profits. Walmart acknowledged tariff pressures may lead to price increases by May’s end but committed to keeping prices low while planning strategic investments.

• First Honest Judge: A federal judge ruled that President Trump can use the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expedite the deportation of suspected Tren de Aragua gang members, finding the administration’s description of their actions aligns with the Act’s definition of “predatory incursions.” However, the judge noted that the administration failed to provide adequate notice to individual detainees subject to deportation.
• Trump Derangement Syndrome: leftists lose it with unhinged rants. At the Cannes Film Festival, Robert De Niro, clutching his honorary Palme d’Or, slammed President Trump as “America’s philistine president,” doubling down on his obsessive attacks, while Pedro Pascal whimpered about the “scary” pushback against Trump’s tough immigration stance yet called for Hollywood to fight back. Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen kicked off his “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour in Manchester, England, with a melodramatic tirade, branding Trump’s administration “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous,” and urging fans to scream against supposed “authoritarianism” to save their socialist version of America.

Catch up on what happened over the last month:

America This Week: Trade Deals, Ceasefires, and More Democrat Fake-Hero Attempts (May 5 – 11, 2025)

America This Week: Faith, Family, Freedom, and Pope Trump (April 28 – May 4, 2025)

America This Week: Rogue Judge Reckoning, Due Process Hoaxes, the Easter Bunny (April 21-27, 2025)

America This Week: What’s Been Going On (April 14 – 20, 2025)