Business Flees California due to Overregulation


Posted originally on Aug 22, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Leaving California

California has been repelling capital through overregulation. The energy sector high-tailed out of the state in recent years under Governor Gavin Newsom’s net-zero policies. Now, even retailers feel forced to evacuate as California becomes increasingly anti-business.

Bed Bath & Beyond announced that it must close all retail stores within the state of California. “This decision isn’t about politics—it’s about reality,” company head Marcus Lemonis said in a social media post. “California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America. It’s a system that makes it harder to employ people, harder to keep doors open, and harder to deliver value to customers.”

Newsom’s office commented that Bed Bath & Beyond was already a dead business, failing to take any responsibility. To begin, California’s minimum wage continues to rise year after year at a pace unsustainable for businesses. Automation is replacing the human workforce, and some studies have shown that minimum wage workers in California are simply receiving fewer working hours as employers aim to cut costs.

Newsom believes he can continue spending and rescue the state from the debt through taxation. Fleeing businesses can’t pay taxes, and California forces both businesses and residents to pay some of the highest taxes in the nation. All corporations operating in the state must pay a flat corporate income tax rate of 8.84% on net income. Banks and financial institutions pay a bit more at 10.84%. There is an annual franchise tax of $800 for businesses as well. But wait—corporations are still beholden to the 21% federal corporate income tax, which means businesses are paying roughly 29.84% on corporate income taxes alone.

Payroll taxes in California are higher than the national average, largely due to social programs like State Disability Insurance (SDI) and the Employment Training Tax (ETT), which must be paid in addition to Unemployment Insurance (UI). There is a personal income tax withholding of up to 14.63% that employers must withhold from employees as well.

The state was forced to overturn its policy regarding shoplifting and burglary after criminals used the minimum $950 amount for petty theft to avoid felony charges. Countless businesses shuttered their brick-and-mortar locations as a direct result of light-on-crime policies.

Capital flees excessive regulation and it’s almost a no-brainer for corporations to move beyond state lines where operating costs are drastically lower.

Automating Pregnancy through Robot Surrogates


Posted originally on Aug 22, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

The most human of experiences has been automated as China unveiled a new AI robot that is capable of carrying a fetus to full term, replicating the entire pregnancy process from conception to birth. Kaiwa Technology in Guangzhou plans to release these robots in 2026 for $1,400, or a small fraction of what couples pay for surrogates. Has science gone to far in the quest to play God?

These “pregnancy robots” are vastly different from traditional incubators that are utilized for premature or at-risk newborns. The fetus develops within the robot’s artificial womb in synthetic amniotic fluid. Scientists have developed artificial placentas equipped with a tube system operated by AI, which can feed the baby oxygen and nutrients during gestation. Humans have never procreated through an artificial womb nor has a robot replicated the whole gestation process.

Surrogacy was deemed unethical, and the Chinese government banned the practice in 2001. The government prohibited the trade of ova, sperm, embryos, and other related reproductive items. If not outright banned, most nations have a complicated legal framework surrounding surrogacy and parental rights. The Chinese government believes gestational surrogacy exploits women in poverty, and the law recognizes the birthing mother as the legal mother. Still, repealing the one-child policy and infertility have caused a spike in interest.

Some believe this technology will be a breakthrough for couples suffering from infertility. Outside China, same-sex couples could also benefit from AI-driven surrogacy that costs a fraction of the price. Women may not be exploited for their wombs, but what about the babies born to non-human figures?

The mother-child relationship is the genesis of life and creation. The age-old debate of nature v nurture always concludes that both are essential. Scientists conducted a number of unethical studies during the last World War to see what would happen if a baby were deprived of nurture. Naturally, these studies could never be replicated again.

The Third Reich was keenly interested in eugenics and expanding the Aryan race. In 1935, Heinrich Himmler implemented selective breeding programs for “racially pure” women.  Lebensborn homes were developed to discreetly provide unwed women the opportunity to procreate. The Christian society villainized unwed mothers, and so the program operated in secrecy. After birth, biological parents were forced to surrender all parental rights to the German government who assumed full parental guardianship. Thousands of children were born under this program that lasted nine years and expanded to all Nazi-occupied territories.

As a report from the Ministry of Justice stated: “Leaders of the [League of German Girls have] intimated to their girls that they should bear illegitimate children; these leaders have pointed out that in view of the prevailing shortage of men, not every girl could expect to get a husband in future, and that the girls should at least fulfill their task as German women and donate a child to the Fuhrer.”

LebensbornProgramOrphanEugenics

Newborns were deprived of maternal bonding and nurturing, a crucial factor that the Nazis failed to consider. “Racially and genetically valuable” babies experienced severe cognitive issues. Some of the children were placed in mental facilities for the remainder of their lives. Children showed signs of impaired memory, attentional deficits, emotional dysregulation, and delayed learning. Countless children experienced intense trauma regarding their true identities.

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In more recent times, brain imaging of children born in neglect showed prefrontal cortex development issues. A 2015 study examined infants from Tbilisi Infants Orphanage at ages from 1 month to 3 years of age. Maternal deprivation led to a decrease in serotonin levels and plasma growth hormone. Dopamine and norepinephrine changers were witnessed as well. “Maternal deprivation induces growth and developmental retardation, high morbidity and abnormal stress response, associated with altered neurotransmitter level and disrupted processes of immune regulation,” the study concluded.

Obviously, there has never been a study to determine development within an artificial womb. Animal studies have shown that maternal hormones such as prolactin (PRL) are excreted during late pregnancy and activate neural brain circuits responsible for the biological nurturing response for both the mother and newborn. The biochemical communication between the mother and child determines fetal outcomes. Could an artificial placenta create the same experience?

Developmental issues are one major area for concern. Countless dystopian tales discuss what could happen if governments could control the population. The Nazis may have attempted to expand the Aryan race, but what could other governments do with this same power? Governments and globalist entities are constantly determining ways to control the population. The majority of developed nations are experiencing a severe decline in birth rates coupled with an aging population. The government could create a subset of humans to act as future soldiers, workers, or worse. Scientists need a human egg and sperm for these devices, and those born to robotic mothers would be humans. Bad actors could easily hide their misdeeds by pretending robot-born humans are AI. We may need to not only prove our identity but our actual existence as sentient homo sapiens in the future.

Categories:TechnologyCivilization

Japan’s Exports Fall to Four-Year Low


Posted Aug 22, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Japan experienced a contraction in exports for the first time in four years this July. Exports declined 2.6% on an annualized basis, falling beneath the median forecast of a 2.1% contraction, according to the Ministry of Finance.

As with Canada, tariffs have caused a downturn in the auto sector. Autos, auto parts, and steel saw the steepest decline since February 2021. “Car shipments to the US have started to decline in volume, suggesting that the impact of tariffs is finally starting to show,” said Taro Saito, head of economic research at NLI Research Institute. “In the US, prices of Japanese exports began rising around June or July, so we’re now seeing the effects of Japanese goods gradually losing their price competitiveness.”

Japanese exports to the US fell 10.1% in July YoY, with vehicles sharply falling by 28.4% and auto parts by 17.4%. Tariff discussions are ongoing, with some progress made in July. However, nothing has been set in stone, and the uncertainty is clearly reflected in trade.

The decline expanded beyond the US—tariffs are not the only culprit. Exports from Japan to China fell by 3.5%, with orders to Europe falling 3.4%. Demand is waning. Europe is experiencing a recession already, and China has boosted its manufacturing capacity to the point where it does not need to rely as strongly on exports. US tariffs are certainly playing a TEMPORARY role in world trade, but we must look at the macro trend rather than singling out a momentary policy adjustment.

Neighborhood Watch – President Trump Speaks to Police and National Guard Before Joining DC Patrol


Posted originally on CTH on August 22, 2025 | Sundance

After initiating a federal security program in the Washington DC metropolitan area, President Trump goes to the streets to thank the police and national guard for their efforts at restoring law and order.

President Trump delivered remarks to the assembled law enforcement and national guard.  WATCH:

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Biden’s White House Spokesperson Ian Sams, Interacted with Joe Biden a Total of Two Times During Term in Office


Posted originally on CTH on August 21, 2025 | Sundance 

House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY.) spoke with reporters Thursday morning following the deposition hearing of Ian Sams, former President Biden’s spokesman for the White House Counsel’s office. WATCH:

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JD Vance Extensive Interview with Laura Ingraham


Posted originally on CTH on August 21, 2025 | Sundance

The social media conversation was triggered by an article in the Wall Street Journal {SEE HERE} which claimed Elon Musk was reconsidering, actually setting aside the third-party option, and was likely to back JD Vance as his 2028 presidential nominee instead.

Factually, for those in the minority who are intellectually honest non-pretenders, the framework of the subsequent online discussion from that WSJ article was laughable.  Personally, I wanted to ridicule anyone who was buying into the nonsense that Musk and the Tech alliance (Ellison, Thiel, Sacks, Andreesen, et al) had another option in mind other than Vance.

Silicon Valley is a singular organism when it comes to their collective interests.  Palantir founder Peter Thiel has invested in JD Vance since 2013, and the PayPal mafia which includes Elon Musk have never diverged.  There is no way Thiel, Musk and the Tech alliance are going to support anyone other than Vance.  By the time we get to 2028 they will have a total investment of money and time that spans 15 years in Vance.  JD Vance will be the Silicon Valley candidate.

JD Vance knows this.  As the conversation about bringing Elon Musk back into the Trump camp is triggered, it is not coincidental that JD Vance becomes the conduit.  If JD Vance wants to be the presidential nominee in 2028, he will rely on Musk and crew; there is no other candidate for Silicon Valley.  WATCH:

If the Tech Bros want to reenter the epicenter of influence, they will rely on Vance to get them there.   Hence, with the rumors of the Tech group wanting to reengage, we see a much more visible JD Vance.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Outlines How Biden Administration Funneled Billions into Democrat NGO’s


Posted originally on CTH on August 21, 2025 | Sundance 

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin appeared for a podcast interview with Miranda Devine where he outlined billions of EPA dollars that were transferred to various passthroughs as an outcome of the Inflation Reduction Act (aka Green New Deal).

As noted by Administrator Zeldin, various investigations are now underway to determine who structured the payments as the EPA begins clawing back the money.  The numbers are staggering, $20+ billion.  WATCH:

The full interview is below.

President Trump Responds to Manhattan Appeals Court Ruling


Posted originally on CTH on August 21, 2025 | Sundance

President Trump Via Truth Social – “TOTAL VICTORY in the FAKE New York State Attorney General Letitia James Case! I greatly respect the fact that the Court had the Courage to throw out this unlawful and disgraceful Decision that was hurting Business all throughout New York State.

Others were afraid to do business there. The amount, including Interest and Penalties, was over $550 Million Dollars. It was a Political Witch Hunt, in a business sense, the likes of which no one has ever seen before. This was a Case of Election Interference by the City and State trying to show, illegally, that I did things that were wrong when, in fact, everything I did was absolutely CORRECT and, even, PERFECT. Every single Dollar was thrown out, even the penalties imposed on us by the Corrupt Judge, one of the most overturned in History, Arthur Engoron.

I wasn’t given a Jury and, during the course of the Trial, which lasted a long time, was not given one Ruling in my favor by this Political Hack, but worse than him, if that’s possible, was Letitia James, a Corrupt and Incompetent Attorney General who only brought this Case in order to hurt me politically. She is a Trump Deranged Lunatic! They made me bond the outrageous sum, which never happened before, and which cost me Millions of Dollars a month.

It should have never been allowed to happen, and everyone knew it! Importantly, the Vote was 5 to 0. I am so honored by Justice David Friedman’s great words of wisdom, which should be read by everyone. I would also like to thank the Court for having the Courage to make this Decision, which is already going down as one of the worst business persecutions in the History of our Country.

Sadly, there are other Cases against me that are equally disgraceful, including those headed up by Corrupt Judges, like Juan Merchan, whose daughter collected Millions of Dollars in Fees from Crooked Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, while her father shockingly REFUSED TO RECUSE himself from a vicious and corrupt trial, which is also under Appeal, one in which every Legal Pundit in New York said, “THERE WAS NO CASE!” — Even Editorial Boards said, “DO NOT DO THIS!” Judge Merchan gave me an unprecedented Gag Order, not letting me talk about him or his daughter, or the fact that the Appellate Judges thought he should not be doing the Case, but he did it anyway.

Many Lawyers said that his daughter and him created the Greatest Conflict of Interest they had ever seen. Judge Lewis Kaplan, the other remaining Case, whose wife, family, and friends attended his two trials, is as mean and nasty as anyone I have ever met.

That Case, also on Appeal, should also never have been brought, and he should be admonished for Abuse, and every other thing that can be thrown at a Corrupt Judge. He loved the publicity, and would not let us present the irrefutable evidence that we wanted to present. This Clinton appointed Judge should not be allowed to get away with this SCAM….

….These were all Political Trials in an effort to destroy my viability as a Presidential Candidate before, during, and after the Election. They were strongly coordinated with the Biden/Harris Campaign, and will go down in History as among the most Corrupt Cases ever brought. These two Cases are even more ridiculous than the Corrupt Letitia James Case, and will be found out to be so in the very near future.

All of these Judges should be ashamed of themselves for allowing them to happen. They are Political Hacks who did everything possible to hurt me as a Candidate. This was an attack by the Biden/Harris Administration on their Political Opponent, ME.

It is such an Honor to have withstood it, thrived, and even become President of the United States despite the horrible things that were done to me. I’d like to thank and congratulate my son Eric Trump, and all of the many people in the Trump Organization, that fought so strongly for Justice. My Legal Team refused to give up against heavy odds. This is a Great Day for New York City and State!  (LINK)

Trump’s NY Civil Fraud Fine of $500 Million Thrown Out by Appeals Court


Posted originally on CTH on August 21, 2025 | Sundance

The New York Appellate Division in Manhattan had previously been skeptical of the case brought by New York AG Letitia James and the ruling by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron.  There were no victims in the case.

Engoron levied a $464 million judgment against President Trump and his companies.  With interest accruing, the end result was a ridiculous fine in excess of $500 million and the removal of Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr from the company.

The appeals court in Manhattan has thrown out the $500 million punitive award, and suspended Engoron’s ruling that blocked Eric and Don Jr from the company.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A New York state appeals court threw out on Thursday an approximately half-billion dollar penalty that Donald Trump had been ordered to pay after a judge found that the U.S. president fraudulently overstated the value of his properties and other assets to bolster his family business.

The decision by a five-judge panel of the Appellate Division in Manhattan represented a defeat for New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office brought the civil fraud lawsuit against Trump in 2022.

Judges on the appellate court had signaled skepticism toward the case during oral arguments last September. (more)

As we noted in October of 2023. There are no elements to this farce of a judicial proceeding which will survive appellate court review.  The entire motive and process is easily identified by any intellectually honest person as a complete sham and legal clown show, intended to advance extreme ideological Lawfare.

All the banks and lenders did their own due diligence on financing terms with Donald Trump.  All operational loans and Trump Org. business loans were paid back.  There were no defaults or banking interests adversely impacted. There are no victims of what the State called “fraud.”

Pope Leo To Move Into Apostolic Palace With ‘Flatmates’, Frank Walker Reports


Posted originally on Rumble By Bannon’s War Room on: August 20, 2025