Category Blogger C0nservative Tree House

Apr 14 2025

President Trump Exempts Most Chinese Consumer Electronics, Tech Products and Components from Reciprocal Tariffs


Posted originally on CTH on April 13, 2025 | Sundance 

The baseline tariffs remain, specifically as they pertain to China.  However, in a move to diminish public backlash President Trump has now exempted the majority of consumer electronics from the 125% reciprocal tariff levy.

The types of electronic and computer systems exempted, as announced by U.S Customs & Border Protection, Cargo Systems Messaging Service [DATA HERE], is extensive.  The machines used to make semiconductors will also be exempt.

All of the following products are now exempt from the larger global tariffs, including the tariffs in place against China:

•Computers (laptops, desktops, servers) •Workstations •Computer systems •Keyboards •Mice •Hard drives •Memory modules (RAM) •Power supplies •Computer motherboards •Graphic cards •Semiconductor manufacturing equipment: •Photolithography machines •Etching and doping machines •Wafer handling robots •Cleanroom systems used in chip fabrication Used by companies like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung in chip production. •Smartphones •Mobile phones with data transmission capabilities •Devices like iPhones, Android phones, and similar mobile communication devices •Wireless routers •Network switches •Modems (cable, DSL, etc.) •VoIP equipment •Communication hubs •Internet gateway devices •USB flash drives •SSDs (solid-state drives) •Memory cards (like SD, microSD) •Other flash storage devices used in everything from laptops to cameras and game consoles. •Individual solar cells, unassembled •Photovoltaic cells assembled into modules or panels, with or without bypass diodes •Custom or specialty solar panels •Microprocessors (CPUs, SoCs) •Memory chips (RAM, Flash, etc.) •Logic ICs, analog ICs, mixed-signal ICs •Specialized application chips (ASICs, GPUs, AI chips) •Widely used in all electronics: smartphones, laptops, vehicles, appliances, industrial controls •All types of LEDs [SOURCE]

The exemption announced April 11th is retroactive back to April 5th.  According to the announcement, companies who imported during the window of tariffs may request a refund due to changes in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

This is a major appeasement move to both the Communist Party of China (Beijing) and corporate tech titans like Apple.

There is no other honest framework to view this, other than President Trump retreated fearing backlash from corporate donors, Silicon Valley allies and the broader system of adverse politics.  The administration will try to spin this, but it is a really bad look.

Elon Musk won the argument, defeating Peter Navarro, Howard Lutnick, Scott Bessent and Stephen Miller.  I was wrong.  Obviously, Elon Musk has the most power and influence in the administration.

Apr 14 2025

Elon Musk is Doing What Eric Holder Dreamed of Doing


Posted originally on CTH on April 13, 2025 | Sundance

HAT TIP to Elon Musk sycophant, Mario Nawfal, who gleefully writes:

“Elon’s DOGE just teamed up with Palantir — the AI data company co-founded by Peter Thiel — to help the IRS build a massive “mega API.”

What’s a mega API? Think of it like a giant, turbo-charged plug that lets computers talk to each other. This one would let the IRS finally access all of its scattered, ancient tax data in one place.

For 3 days straight, Palantir’s tech geniuses, DOGE officials, and IRS engineers have been locked in a digital war room, trying to modernize a system that still faxes things like it’s 1997.

It’s like giving a flip phone the powers of ChatGPT — if ChatGPT worked for the IRS and wanted your W-2s. Yes, it’s weird. Yes, it’s real.” (LINK)

Yes, Elon Musk and Palantir (CEO Alex Carp) are going to create the IRS interface that links your tax identification to all other government monitoring databases.  The sourcing is HERE and HERE.

Against enormous backlash from those who believe Elon Musk, Peter Theil, Palantir and JD Vance are the saviors of our nation; while facing anger from those who define the telling of truth as a black pill – while shouting that failing to support Elon Musk is akin to attacking President Trump; CTH Previously warned about the most likely end game extensively. [HERE] and [HERE] and [HERE]

To all those voices who refuse to see what is becoming increasingly obvious, understand the core CTH baseline, we don’t care if information is uncomfortable, because the Truth has No Agenda.  Here’s the explanation from WIRED:

WIRED: […] “Corcos has discussed plans for DOGE to build “one new API to rule them all,” making IRS data more easily accessible for cloud platforms, sources say. APIs, or application programming interfaces, enable different applications to exchange data, and could be used to move IRS data into the cloud. The cloud platform could become the “read center of all IRS systems,” a source with direct knowledge tells WIRED, meaning anyone with access could view and possibly manipulate all IRS data in one place.

Over the past few weeks, DOGE has requested the names of the IRS’s best engineers from agency staffers. Next week, DOGE and IRS leadership are expected to host dozens of engineers in DC so they can begin “ripping up the old systems” and building the API, an IRS engineering source tells WIRED. The goal is to have this task completed within 30 days. Sources say there have been multiple discussions about involving third-party cloud and software providers like Palantir in the implementation. (more)

This is the one Musk endeavor that will not be opposed by either wing of the DC UniParty.  Remember, Palantir already has multiple government contracts in defense, intel and national security agencies throughout government.

I’m just going to cut to the chase and again outline where this is going, repeating an encapsulation we have provided repeatedly.

I’m sure there is some value in this process. In fact, I am certain that utilization of enhanced algorithmic AI software to streamline government data systems does hold merit. However, that’s not the big picture issue that concerns me.

Everything we see unfolding, from the Tech Bro alignment with Trump, to the network of influence after the election, to the selection and advisement of specific individuals to join the administration, all the way to the first-round expose’ of USAID, should be looked upon with a background forecast.

(1) gaining access to govt data was the goal; (2) monetizing the system with proprietary AI contracts (vis-a-vis Palantir) is the benefit; (3) however, a national security justified surveillance state is going to be the outcome.

As people are shocked at the USAID spending scandal unfolding, I would posit the USAID silo was chosen first for DOGE exploration specifically because the subsequent outrage would gain the highest amount of public support for the pending solution. It’s the pending solution to the crisis that we should be very focused on.

Their solution will never be about US, it will always be about THEM; what’s in their best interests. That’s their focus, not us, them.

Failing to STOP after crisis in the past always ended up with acceptance of their solution. Now we take off our shoes at the airport, go through body scans, accept pat-downs, wear masks, accept sketchy vaccines, click yes on 5,000-word terms of service for privacy statements we never read, align ourselves with Real ID, and generally accept the all-encompassing surveillance state; none of which is grounded upon liberty or freedom. It’s all based on govt control.

Yes, as poked by Musk the govt is in crisis, and just as sure as you are reading this the administrators within govt already have the solution ready to roll.

“We will use advanced technology and non-partisan AI programming, to make the government more efficient and ensure this level of corruption and wasteful spending never happens again.”  That’s the selling point.

Every dollar will be tracked, monitored and oversight will be transparent and available for everyone to see. Just ignore the part where the same efficiency system is monitoring your real ID, connecting your personage to the new govt and private sector interfaces, and click “I agree” on your next federal tax filing.

Trust us Comrade citizen, the new technologically advanced DODGE approved govt system cares about responsible stewardship and you. Swear.”

The process starts by downloading government data to an AI enhanced database for review and filtration.

You forgot to pay your XXXX fees (or taxes), ATM doesn’t work for you now. Oh and whoops, you can’t renew your passport or govt compliant DL either.

The streamlining and downsizing of government through the use of AI systems is a good thing, perhaps a very good thing. However, watch out for deployment into the DHS/IRS interface because that will give rise to consequences from the newly expanded Surveillance State.

Peaceniks don’t build bombs; and those who genuinely believe in liberty do not build nor support domestic surveillance networks that can be weaponized depending on who is in power. {BACKSTORY HERE and HERE}

Apr 13 2025

Bill Maher Describes His White House Dinner with President Donald Trump


Posted originally on CTH on April 12, 2025 | Sundance 

Comedian and avowed leftist who adored Barack Obama, Bill Maher, used his HBO show to describe what it was like to meet with President Trump for dinner at the White House.

There is quite a bit of salty language in this segment that aired on HBO. Proceed accordingly. WATCH:

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Apr 13 2025

Steve Witkoff Has Third Meeting in St Petersburg, Russia with President Vladimir Putin


Posted originally on CTH on April 12, 2025 | Sundance

A slight change of venue in Russia as President Trump envoy Steve Witkoff travels to St Petersburg for his third meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The talks come as President Trump’s other special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, is apparently starting to realize Vladimir Putin is not going to return the four Russian speaking regions in Ukraine east of the Dnipro river.

(Via MSM) – Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine has claimed that the country could be partitioned like Berlin after the Second World War as part of a peace deal – as the US president urged Russia to “get moving” on a ceasefire.

Keith Kellogg told The Times that British and French troops could adopt zones of control in the west of the country, forming a “reassurance force”, while Russia’s army could remain in the occupied east – separated by Ukrainian forces and a demilitarised zone.

The Anglo-French-led force west of the Dnipro river – which bisects Ukraine from north to south – would “not be provocative at all” to the Kremlin, said Mr Kellog, who was excluded from peace talks last month because Russia complained that he was “too close” to Kyiv. (more)

Apr 13 2025

The Process Matters When Confronting the Deep State


Posted originally on CTH on April 12, 2025 | Sundance

Regarding the recently released Russiagate files. Again, emphasizing that process matters, let me explain how and why we are being purposefully misled, even with Trump ‘allies’ in control of various govt agencies (silos).

Using the reference of the James Wolfe storyline, let me outline how process matters and how you can tell when the process is being used to coverup corrupt activity in Washington DC.

Former Senate Intelligence Community Security Chief, James Wolfe, leaked the Carter Page FISA application to journalist Ali Watkins. We know from the DOJ indictment of James Wolfe [SEE HERE], a very specific set of evidence and key dates that was assembled against him.

James Wolfe was nailed for lying to FBI investigators about his leaks to Ali Watkins on December 15, 2017.  That is the date of the second interview with Wolfe.  During the third interview a few days later, Wolfe was shown the evidence against him, and he admitted his lies.  However, his indictment was not unsealed until June 7, 2018.

Key Dates: Busted for guilt December 15, 2017.  Indicted June 7, 2018.

♦ The evidence against Wolfe included text messages between Senate Intel Vice-Chairman Mark Warner, and the lawyer for Oleg Deripaska, an attorney named Adam Waldman. The text messages were made public on Feb 8, 2018, [SOURCE] four months before Wolfe was indicted.

♦ The evidence against Wolfe included text messages between Wolfe and journalist Ali Watkins.  Ms Watkins was notified of her phone records being seized by FBI investigators on February 13, 2018, [SOURCE] again four months before Wolfe was indicted.

Why was this evidence, all of which would have been useful at trial, purposefully released by the Mueller investigation who was in charge of everything related to Russiagate at the time.

Shortly after James Wolfe was indicted, the Title-1 FISA application he leaked was then released to the public under the auspices of a FOIA request.  Wolfe indicted June 7, 2018, the FISA application released publicly July 21, 2018 [SOURCE].

RIGHT QUESTION:  Why was the evidence against James Wolfe being released to the public between the time the case was made (Dec ’17) and the time the indictment was unsealed (June ’18)?  Why wasn’t the evidence held until criminal trial processes began?

ANSWER: In hindsight we discover the Mueller team were in charge of the timeline because the Russiagate investigation superseded all other Main Justice outcomes and consequences.  The Mueller team were protecting the participants (Ali Watkins, Mark Warner, James Wolfe etc.), who all knew they were being investigated as a result of the Wolfe leak.

All of these players, including the media who received the FISA application from the Wolfe leak, knew they were tangentially and directly connected to the Wolfe investigation.  After Wolfe made his admission (December ’17), all of the collateral players knew they were at risk.

The FBI was notifying all stakeholders of the Wolfe admission, and Mueller’s team was helping to mitigate the consequences to those stakeholders.  How?  With controlled public releases of information.

Each of the corrupt actors had weeks, some even months, to hire lawyers, obfuscate the evidence of their involvement and formulate their defenses.  That’s why the information was being “released.”

The biggest single example of controlling damage and public opinion through the selective release of information was also the most brutally obvious, the July 21, 2018, release of the Carter Page FISA itself.

This was a Top-Secret Compartmented Intelligence document (TSCI). Directly related to a national security matter, and directly related to an ongoing investigation, and directly a component of the largest leak of top-secret classified information in decades.

The FISA itself was the easiest of all documents for the DOJ, FBI and National Security Apparatus to keep hidden from public view.  There was no court in America who would have ordered it to be released.  Quite simply, there was no reason for the DOJ to even consider releasing it; yet they did.

The Title-1 FISA application was released by Main Justice under the ridiculous justification of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) release.  Name me another TSCI document in the history of the Intelligence Community, that has ever been released under a FOIA (either before, or since); there simply isn’t another example.  Yet in the rush to review it, no one ever drew attention to this brutally obvious point.

The FISA was released shortly after James Wolfe was indicted, because everyone in the background network of the James Wolfe indictment, mainly the DOJ under Mueller team control, was operating to control information adverse to their interests.  The public release watered down the jaw-dropping leak itself.

[SOURCE]

Why visit this example again?  Because we are seeing a repeat of this pattern in the recently released Russiagate files.

If DC can frame negative information as politically motivated, DC can then avoid the unlawful and illegal activity underneath the information.  That is exactly what is happening, and that is why process is important.

If the bad actors in the silos want to remove the concern about illegal activity, they control release the information framing it as political in nature.

…”if the DOJ can claim evidence is political, it then nullifies the evidence and ends the case. This is why SD is pissed they handed this to that [willing] idiot Solomon.”…

Apr 13 2025

President Trump Delivers Remarks on Air Force One Following Physical at Walter Reed


Posted originally on CTH on April 12, 2025 | Sundance

After having his annual physical at Walter Reed hospital, President Trump delivers remarks to the assembled press pool aboard Air Force One.

President Trump notes he feels great and has a great heart and good soul. lol  WATCH:

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Apr 12 2025

Some Thoughts on the Recent Declassified “Release of the FBI Files About Russiagate”


Posted originally on CTH on April 11, 2025 | Sundance

Things are again not what they seem, but you have to stand back to understand the right questions.

People have asked about the recent release of the declassified FBI documents (a partial release) and what they mean.  Having spent years deep in the research, here’s my take.

At first blush people may say there’s nothing really there that we didn’t already know. I would differ on that perspective because the process is telling us something very loudly, and the absence of material is shouting even louder.

Simple question:  This stuff was declassified by President Trump and released by the FBI, correct?  If so, then why isn’t the release simply uploaded to the FBI.Gov website.  Why release it to congress and then leak it to John Solomon?

Read the underline.  First things first. Explain to me exactly how these were “obtained.”  Where did Solomon get them?

[SOURCE]

If it’s all on the up-and-up, and if it is simply an outcome of declassified material, then why is sourcing for the documents clouded in some weird mystery.  Shouldn’t we know the process?  Those of you who remember the FISA application release, will know why this process issue is important.

Next, the information is given to the founding member of the “Tick Tock” club.  John Solomon has singularly been responsible for more purposefully controlled information releases than any other ‘conservative’ media rep for the Intel Community.  The Russiagate files coming from Solomon should be the first big “red flag” that causes pause.

Who game them to Solomon?  And again, why not just upload them to a .gov website (DNI, FBI or even HPSCI).

I suspect the intention here, the motive of the process, is to focus on the politics of the release, NOT the illegal nature of the conduct that is contained within the evidence the release outlines.  They want the public focused on the “politics” not the “illegal surveillance” and unlawful conduct that underpins Russiagate.

Bottom line on the process aspect.  This is a controlled release of information. We are getting a few pieces of the puzzle affirmed, but the key parts of the same picture are hidden.  I will explain with an example in a moment.

Process matters, because the DC silo defense is partly contingent upon ‘process.’  If the evidence is not discovered within a silo agency, that evidence is never considered by the DC system.  It doesn’t matter if the evidence is accurate, if DC didn’t originate the evidence, it is disregarded [See Durham Investigation for a case study in this].

In order to confront the illegal nature of the conduct behind Russiagate, the process used to discover and/or spotlight the unlawful behavior is critical.  If DC can claim the process is political, DC -and by extension legal accountability- will stay away from it.

This does not mean whoever leaked the files to John Solomon is the originator of the play to deploy politics, it could be the person behind the person who leaked the files to Solomon.

As an example, who orchestrated this Epstein file nonsense?

Who organized this stunt? Who sent the invitations to them? Was it Pam Bondi? If so, who suggested this ridiculous fiasco was a great idea to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi? Start there, and you will begin to find the problem.

The same process issue fingerprints, evident in this FBI Russiagate file release, need to be known. Work backward from Solomon. Who gave the files to him; then, who suggested the Solomon process to that person?

The selected source and process issues are only one element of the *tell* highlighting this as a controlled release of information, intended to satiate a generally unknowledgeable audience. Another issue is what’s missing.

As an example, review the Wolfe file release [SEE HERE]. That is a singular FD-302 interview of the former Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Security Director, James Wolfe.

We know from the Wolfe indictment that SSCI Security Director James Wolfe was interviewed by a female FBI investigator three times; once in October 2017, and twice in December 2017.  The released 302 only cover one of those interviews, the one in October.   The interview notes from December (two sets of 302s) are NOT in this release.

It was in the December interviews that Wolfe lied to investigators (first Dec interview), then when faced with evidence during the second December interview, he admitted his guilt.  Those interview notes are not here.

Why only the first Wolfe interview released?  Likely because the second and third round of questioning brought then Vice-Chair of the SSCI, Senator Mark Warner, into the picture.  The absence of the December 302’s is the evidence of: (1) a coverup operation; and (2) a controlled release of information.

Remember, there is no doubt James Wolfe leaked the FISA application on March 17th to journalist Ali Watkins.  The FBI even asserted under oath in a December 2018 court filing the FISA application was leaked by James Wolfe.

Where are the interview notes of James Wolfe that led to this statement of fact by the FBI investigator(s)?

I’m still going through the pages, pulling details from each one. However, on the topline issue of the release itself there are obvious indications this is a controlled release of information intended to protect the people who weaponized their offices in Russiagate.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that Kash Patel and Dan Bongino are part of a controlled release operation.  They could be completely overwhelmed in their jobs, struggling to get their hands around this rogue silo, and easily duped by the people within the agency they have been appointed to lead.

Hell, beyond the process mess, I would argue Bongino and Patel likely don’t even know what they could be looking for; let alone knowing where the evidence is and how to go about releasing it.  However, for the sake of a strong awakening, start by asking how these new Russiagate documents found their way into John Solomon’s hands.

Apr 11 2025

President Trump Invites Media to Cabinet Meeting – Holds Press Availability


Posted originally on CTH on April 10, 2025 | Sundance 

President Trump holds a cabinet meeting and invites the press to attend and ask questions.

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Apr 11 2025

DNI Tulsi Gabbard Joins the Tick Tock Club – Repeating the “Just Wait, Trust Us” Nonsense


Posted originally on CTH on April 10, 2025 | Sundance

The absolute #1 tell highlighting this as a nonsense exercise, a delay tactic on behalf of the swamp, is the venue for Tulsi Gabbard’s “new task force” announcement, Sean Hannity.

In order to pass DC approvals for confirmation, Gabbard had to join the ‘FISA is awesome’ club.  Now, she aligns her DNI silo with the foolishness of the Sean Hannity ‘tick-tock’ club.  Sorry, but we’ve seen this performance so many times it is now blood boiling to watch them try and repeat it.

DNI Gabbard claims she is creating a new “transparency task force” to analyze information for potential declassification and public release.  However, the task force will now have to “dig” until they have every document discovered, before they can release it, because releasing information as it is discovered is against the operational mission of the people who control the silo process.  But she swears, if you wait for it, it will come. “Trust the plan.”

Oh, it’s so complicated.

Oh, it’s so big and hard to do.

Oh, the evidence is so hard to find.

This is the same nonsense story from Bill Barr, John Durham, Michael Horowitz and the other previous members of the Sean Hannity ‘tick-tock club,’ including John Solomon (controlled releases) and other “conservatively aligned” tradecraft media.  Barr is now Bondi, Wray is now Kash, Durham is now Bongino, the audience is the same.  It’s nonsense.

I’ve been on this trail for too long to keep buying this bullshit answer. It’s the same nonsense from Barr, Durham, Horowitz, now Kash, Bongino and Gabbard.

If they find a document, declassify it and release it. If they find another, do it again.

If someone refuses, call them out, call their office out, publicly and loudly. Shame them by name, title and position. It’s OUR STUFF.

They don’t have to wait until the people who run the silo machines have convinced them they have it all. Release it as it is revealed.

Sorry, I truly wanted to hold out hope in Gabbard Inc., but my trust account is empty. Release what you discover, as you discover it.

They won’t. They just won’t.  We will be sitting here in the lead up to the 2026 midterms, hoping… Yet again.

Apr 11 2025

Europe’s Big Pharma Companies Threaten Commission President von der Leyen, Change Trade Situation Quickly or We Go To America


Posted originally on CTH on April 10, 2025 | Sundance

The rapid change in Ursula von der Leyen now starts to make sense.  According to a press release [SEE HERE] from European Big Pharma, they recently had a meeting with the EU Komisar and threatened to leave Europe if the trade system is not renegotiated quickly.

President Trump is on the cusp of announcing a big change in tariffs against foreign pharmaceutical companies in an effort to get the manufacturing of medicines brought back to the USA.  Details are soon to surface.

In a proactive move, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), went to the European Commission (EC) yesterday to hold talks with von der Leyen, calling for radical change and holding the threat of an exodus to the U.S. over the EC president’s head.

PRESS RELEASE – Today, CEOs of the research-based pharmaceutical industry issued a stark warning to President von der Leyen that unless Europe delivers rapid, radical policy change then pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing is increasingly likely to be directed towards the US.

A survey of EFPIA member companies conducted last week – to which 18 international large and medium-sized innovative companies responded – identified as much as 85% of capital expenditure investments (approximately €50.6 billion) and as much as 50% of R&D expenditure (approximately €52.6 billion) potentially at risk. This is out of a current combined total of €164.8 billion in investments planned for the period 2025-2029 in the EU-27 territory. Over the next three months, companies that responded estimate that a total of €16.5 billion i.e. 10% of the total investment plans is at risk.

The US now leads Europe on every investor metric from availability of capital, intellectual property, speed of approval to rewards for innovation. In addition to the uncertainty created by the threat of tariffs, there is little incentive to invest in the EU and significant drivers to relocate to the US. (read more)