Tag Archives: TikToK

Jul 3 2025

CIA Director John Ratcliffe Declassifies Review of 2016 Intelligence Weaponization and Post-Election Intelligence Community Assessment


Posted originally on CTH on July 2, 2025 | Sundance 

Earlier today CIA Director John Ratcliffe announced he was declassifying an “Internal Tradecraft Review of 2016 Election ICA to Promote Analytic Objectivity and Transparency.” Obviously the CIA saying they are releasing something for the sake of “transparency” is a little funny.

The CIA review triggered by Director Ratcliffe was for the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) that was conducted in the aftermath of the 2016 election. The ICA was also known as the “17 agency report” relied upon by those who pushed the Trump-Russia narrative.

Ever since the sketchy “Russian Malicious Cyber Activity – Joint Analysis Report” was originally released late December 2016 we identified both constructs, the ICA and JAR as a mostly political intelligence documents, created to justify a Russian narrative.

The Dec ’16 ICA was also the predicate intelligence report that preceded the December 29, 2016, Joint Analysis Report that claimed “Russian cyber hacking” in the election. Cumulatively the ICA and JAR formed the background for Barack Obama to expel 35 Russian diplomats.

None of this is new. CTH outlined these two corrupt Intelligence Community constructs in real time when they were released. {SEE HERE}. As time went on, and as the Clinton-Steele dossier was revealed, the 17 agency Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) grew even weaker.

In late October 2017 former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper admitted the Clinton-Steele dossier was part of the Joint Analysis Report.   Eventually, our research indicated the dossier and the intelligence report were likely the underlying evidence behind the FISA Title-1 application (and subsequent renewals) for surveillance on Carter Page and by extension the Trump campaign.  All of that was proven to be accurate.

Now CIA Director John Ratcliffe provides an independent CIA review of their organizational action at the time the Trump-Russia narrative was created.  CIA Press Statement:

“Earlier this year, CIA Director John Ratcliffe tasked Agency career professionals with decades of experience to conduct a lessons-learned review of the procedures and analytic tradecraft employed in the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) conducted shortly after the 2016 election. Today, Director Ratcliffe declassified the results of this review.

The tradecraft review identified multiple procedural anomalies in the preparation of the 2016 ICA, such as a compressed timeline, uneven access to compartmented information, marginalization of the National Intelligence Council, and excessive involvement of agency heads. The review notes that adhering to established analytic processes and rigorous tradecraft is essential to ensure credibility, objectivity, and accuracy of CIA analysis.

Director Ratcliffe declassified this review in order to promote analytic objectivity and transparency. “Agency heads at the time created a politically charged environment that triggered an atypical analytic process around an issue essential to our democracy,” said Director Ratcliffe. “Under my watch, I am committed to ensuring that our analysts have the ability to deliver unvarnished assessments that are free from political influence.” (LINK)

The bottom line is what we said all along. The Intelligence Community, CIA, FBI, DNI, etc. intentionally fabricated intelligence information to create an entirely fictitious storyline.

~ Read the CIA pdf HERE ~

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Jul 3 2025

President Trump Announces General Terms of Trade Deal with Vietnam


Posted originally on CTH on July 2, 2025 | Sundance

The details within the trade agreement are unique.  President Donald Trump has announced a trade agreement between the USA and Vietnam.  Interestingly Vietnam will face a 20% tariff rate (baseline) and a 40% tariff rate on transnational shipping.

The 40% transnational shipping rate is an interesting approach toward the process of China shipping goods to ASEAN countries to avoid direct tariffs. A transnational shipping tariff is a practical, pragmatic and honest way for the USA and Vietnam to face each other economically without masks and pretenses.

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “It is my Great Honor to announce that I have just made a Trade Deal with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam after speaking with To Lam, the Highly Respected General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It will be a Great Deal of Cooperation between our two Countries. The Terms are that Vietnam will pay the United States a 20% Tariff on any and all goods sent into our Territory, and a 40% Tariff on any Transshipping. In return, Vietnam will do something that they have never done before, give the United States of America TOTAL ACCESS to their Markets for Trade. In other words, they will “OPEN THEIR MARKET TO THE UNITED STATES,” meaning that, we will be able to sell our product into Vietnam at ZERO Tariff. It is my opinion that the SUV or, as it is sometimes referred to, Large Engine Vehicle, which does so well in the United States, will be a wonderful addition to the various product lines within Vietnam. Dealing with General Secretary To Lam, which I did personally, was an absolute pleasure. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

CTH was in the manufacturing base of Vietnam in January; their factories are loaded with component parts from China used to produce finished goods sent to the USA (and globally).  President Trump previously told Vietnam they need to reduce their reliance on Chinese imported component goods, but China has spent billions in advanced positioning and contracts, influencing Vietnam.

Vietnam is a very poor country, and their population cannot afford to purchase the products they manufacture.  They do not have a domestic consumption base. They are reliant on exports to more wealthy nations to keep their manufacturing base afloat.  Practically, it is easy to have sympathy for Vietnam due to their economic dependence on both China (for imported raw materials) and the USA (for exported finished goods).

Like Canada, Vietnam has the structural problem of an inability to comply with President Trump demands.  However, unlike Canada, a wealthy nation who did this entirely to themselves as they chased leftist “green” dreams, Vietnam’s inability is an outcome of the financial windfall that came from President Trump’s first term targeting of China.

During President Trump’s first term, many companies proactively moved manufacturing operations from China to other nations in Southeast Asia.  Vietnam was a big benefactor of the manufacturing shift; their manufacturing base doubled in the next two years.  It is smart for them to respond to the Trump tariffs by lowering their import tariff rate to zero and maintaining access to the U.S. market.

As an outcome of the 2018 tariffs against China, which coincided with a President Trump visit to southeast Asia, multiple companies shifted manufacturing operations from China to Vietnam.

Beijing saw the move and slowly increased their own strategic footprint.

In the subsequent years as COVID-19 took attention from all other matters, and with Trump removed from the equation in 2020, China increased the scale of their investment and the outcomes in 2025 are very visible.

The people who live in Vietnam do not have money; they are a very poor nation.  The baseline poverty level in combination with their communist regime politics essentially eliminates their consumer power to purchase western goods and makes trade agreements between the U.S and Vietnam somewhat moot.  However, as a proxy manufacturing nation Vietnam is a valuable resource for China.

Essentially what can be seen in Vietnam is how Beijing spends money there for influence.  The U.S footprint is negligible in comparison to the visible influence of China.  The Vietnamese market may be open, but their consumers are very poor.  I doubt there will be many SUV’s heading to Vietnam.

It is a very impressive move for Vietnam and the USA to admit the dynamic of the situation; for President Trump to understand Vietnam is partly in their position due to his previous demands on the ASEAN countries; and to come to a transnational shipping tariff system that will create honesty between our two nations.

A super smart approach in a very unique situation.

♦ Semi-related. Remember when I shared the story of the factories in Vietnam and Philippines loaded with Lululemon products without labels that were transshipped from China to apparel manufacturers in southeast Asia?

EXCERPT:  …In a little reported reality, in order to offset the problem, many Chinese manufacturers have actually continued the production of several branded product lines (very well-known and established brands) despite the absence of orders for the finished goods from the companies.

Several shipments of those finished goods have started to arrive at China-partnered ports. This is very interesting, because it may lead to market dumping of a higher quality product than most anticipate.

Within the apparel sector, ASEAN consumers cannot afford the fashion branded product at the prices determined by the actual brand owners. However, there is now a strong likelihood -based on what is being reported by the receivers- that the product itself will be marketed -likely dumped- without the brand label. This is actually high-quality apparel distributed for a fraction of the price of the brand.

I’ll be getting more details on this soon, however, it looks like the broad outlines are verified by multiple sources. I’ll use some fake names to explain.  China is sending finished “branded” goods to the Philippines, without labeling. The receiving company awaits instructions.

Ex. “Lululemon” products arrive finished, but missing labels – the product is identical, but the IP is now stripped. The product, a summer or fall lineup, is then rebranded “Opal” apparel (fake name example) made in Philippines, packaged in a similar high-end fashion and shipped to USA where a new -mostly online- branded and marketed store sells the items. (Source)

Well, here’s the follow-up hitting the headlines today:

VIA CBS – Lululemon is suing Costco, accusing the discount retailer of selling “confusingly similar” replicas of its jackets, sweatshirts and pants.

In a lawsuit filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the athletic and lifestyle apparel company claims that certain Costco products imitate its own designs so closely that it constitutes “trade dress” infringement, which occurs when a product mimics another so closely that it confuses consumers. 

The apparel company claims that Costco’s “knockoff” designs, or product “dupes,” violate trademark law because “some customers incorrectly believe these infringing products are authentic Lululemon apparel.” In other cases, “customers specifically purchase the infringing products because they are difficult to distinguish from authentic Lululemon products,” the lawsuit alleges. (MORE)

Lululemon is a Canadian company who gave China all their manufacturing business.  China then makes extra product and ships it to ASEAN countries where it can be generic branded and sold at a discount.  In the example above, the Lululemon product returns to the USA market under the CostCo brand.   Go figure!

Jul 3 2025

The Big Beautiful Bill Now Back in The House – Speaker Johnson Timing Floor Vote


Posted originally on CTH on July 2, 2025 | Sundance

With the BBB back in the House of Representatives, Speaker Mike Johnson now has the difficult job to push the bill to a final floor vote and get it to President Trump’s desk.

Anticipating pushback and refusal of support from the House Freedom Caucus, earlier this morning President Trump sent a message via Truth Social drawing attention to the objective of the bill to generate economic growth:

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “Nobody wants to talk about GROWTH, which will be the primary reason that the Big, Beautiful Bill will be one of the most successful pieces of legislation ever passed. THIS GROWTH has already begun at levels never seen before. Trillions of Dollars are now being invested into the USA, more than ever before. Likewise, hundreds of Billions of Dollars in Tariffs are filling up the coffers of Treasury. The Tariff money has already arrived and is setting new records! We are growing our way out of the Sleepy Joe Biden MESS that he and the Democrats left us, and it is happening much faster than anyone thought possible. Our Country will make a fortune this year, more than any of our competitors, but only if the Big, Beautiful Bill is PASSED! As they say, Trump’s been right about everything, and this is the easiest of them all to predict. Republicans, don’t let the Radical Left Democrats push you around. We’ve got all the cards, and we are going to use them. Last year America was a “DEAD” Nation, with no hope for the future, and now it’s the “HOTTEST NATION IN THE WORLD!” MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Meanwhile, as noted by Politico: “House Freedom Caucus members like Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) blasted the Senate’s bill Tuesday for adding to the deficit and softening clean energy tax credits. Roy and Norman both voted against the bill in the Rules Committee overnight.”

Speaker Johnson has to navigate the timing of the BBB reaching the floor, and in an effort to dissuade the concerns of the professional republican naysayers he is informing them of possible alternatives to changes in the current bill.  “In an interview on Fox News on Tuesday night, Johnson said the House will plan to do two more reconciliation bills during this session of Congress, which ends in 2026.”

Jul 3 2025

Paramount, Parent Company of CBS, Settles Trump Lawsuit for $16 Million


Posted originally on CTH on July 2, 2025 | Sundance 

President Trump sued CBS for manipulating the video interview of Kamala Harris to fabricate a response and assist the Harris campaign in 2024.

CBS didn’t just shape or modify the interview; they literally moved answers to questions. A Twitter user named @Mazemore was the first to notice one big substantial edit that completely manufactured a different question and answer. “The edited version that CBS put on YouTube is a work of art. Mix and match questions and answers.”

(VIA MSM) – Paramount, the parent company of CBS News, has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump during last year’s presidential campaign — a decision that is likely to spur both internal and external backlash.

The agreement, announced late Tuesday night, comes after months of negotiation to find an amount that both parties would accept. Trump sued the network in U.S. District Court in Texas in late October, alleging that his electoral chances were harmed after the network aired two separate versions of an answer given by then-Vice President Kamala Harris during an interview for “60 Minutes.” (more)

Jul 2 2025

Steve Bannon: “The Republican Party Had 18 Senators That Voted To Raise Taxes On The Wealthy”


Posted originally on Rumble By Bannon’s War Room on: July 1, 2025, at 3:00 pm EST

Jul 2 2025

LAVORGNA: “If This Bill Doesn’t Pass, America Faces The Largest Tax Hike In History.”


Posted originally on Rumble By Bannon’s War Room on: July 1, 2025, at 2:00 pm EST

Jul 2 2025

43% of Americans Near Poverty Place Essential Purchases on Credit


Posted originally on Jul 2, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

Credit Cards

The PYMNTS Intelligence report “Financial Lifestyles Shape Credit Reliance” revealed that American consumers are struggling to afford the basic essentials. Prices have been elevated since the worldwide pandemic shutdown the global economy and have not gone down in a meaningful way. The study found that 43% of American households who are a paycheck away from poverty cannot afford the essentials without using credit.

The report surveyed 2,298 consumers and categorized them into three financial brackets: those who do not live paycheck to paycheck, those who live paycheck to paycheck comfortably, and those who live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to pay bills.

The 43% of households living paycheck to paycheck with difficulties are eight times more likely to depend on credit cards for the essentials. This group was also six times as likely to rely on credit cards for non-essential purchases. Consumers in this category are placing 41% of all essential purchases on credit and sinking deeper into debt. Around 56% of Americans who do not live paycheck to paycheck are also purchasing essentials with credit, albeit many are using credit cards for points and incentives offered through their credit agencies. Struggling households are far more likely to rely on personal or payday loans, with 31% reporting taking out a loan for the essentials.

“While financially stable individuals may use credit extensively to maximize benefits like rewards, those facing financial strain often depend on it simply to cover essential costs. Understanding the distinct behaviors and needs of the struggling paycheck-to-paycheck consumer is crucial for financial institutions,” the study notes

Those who are not living paycheck to paycheck use credit strategically to maximize incentives and credit scores. Those living comfortably paycheck to paycheck do not face significant financial stress and use credit as a financial mitigation tool. Then there is a segment of the population that needs credit as their lifeline.

Groceries are the top item that Americans are pulling out their cards to buy, with 44.1% reportingly needing to use credit to buy food. Approximately 27.5% reported relying on credit for clothing and accessories, 27% stated they needed credit for monthly bills, 18.6% for vehicle maintenance, and 15.3% for healthcare-related expenses.

America’s middle class has been shrinking for decades. According to Pew Research Center, 61% of adults were considered “middle class” in 1971, but that figure sank to around 51% by 2025. The issue here is that there is an increasing number of households falling into poverty who must rely on the government for essentials. This is what the globalists and Marxists want to see—You Will Own Nothing and Be Happy. Consumer behavior is a telling sign and credit can only be stretched so far until one can no longer borrow. The fact that most are reportingly needing to use credit to afford food indicates that the welfare state is likely to increase, and those costs are passed on to the taxpayers, who then may go from “comfortable” to “struggling.”

Jul 2 2025

Trump Lifts Sanctions on Syria


Posted originally on Jul 2, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

Syria Map

The United States has officially lifted sanctions on Syria via an executive order signed by Donald Trump. This historic achievement marks the end of a 45-year sanction period enacted back in December 1979 when Syria was declared a state sponsor of terrorism.

“The sanctions were brutal and crippling and served as an important — really an important function — nevertheless, at the time. But now it’s their time to shine … So, I say, ‘Good luck, Syria.’ Show us something very special,” Trump stated on May 13 when he first announced plans to remove sanctions. Trump further stated that he hopes the new Syrian government “will hopefully succeed in stabilizing the country in keeping peace,” which should not be a problem considering the United States installed the current government.

Sharaa.Jihad_

Investments are pouring into Syria, and the nation is officially debt-free. Syria is still in dire condition after its 14-year conflict and is fighting to rebuild its basic infrastructure. The people of Syria are living in atrocious conditions. Over half the nation is food insecure, half cannot access water, and the majority barely have access to electricity. An estimated 90% of the public lives well below the poverty line. GDP plummeted by two-thirds since 2011, and the Syrian pound also fell by two-thirds in 2023 alone.

Before the world cut off Syria through sanctions in 2011, Syria’s GDP was around $61 billion USD. The sanctions coincided with the outbreak of civil war. War produces absolutely nothing and only detracts from an economy. Syria’s economy shrank by 85% in the past 14 years, with GDP reaching a mere $9 billion in 2024.

Lifting sanctions is a massive step toward rebuilding Syria. Nations are eager to pour investments into the nation and begin profiting. All of this is dependent on peace. The US has the right to reimplement sanctions at any time if the current regime loses control.

Jul 2 2025

President Trump Firm, No More Tariff Extensions Beyond July 8th


Posted originally on CTH on July 1, 2025 | Sundance

There is some interesting information within the video of President Trump aboard AF-1 as he returns from Florida. However, one of the more interesting aspects comes around 05:39 when asked if he was thinking about extending the tariff pause beyond July 8, 2025.

As noted by President Trump, very firmly, no. There is no reason to extend the deadline for reciprocal tariffs beyond July 8th for any country not in direct negotiations as of that date. Trump intends to just send them a letter outlining the applied tariff rate and that’s it. Done is done. WATCH:

This firm date is why India has extended their negotiation team in Washington DC, and is also the reason why Europe is coming Thursday.  The baseline tariffs are done, everyone pays 10% regardless of a FTA or not.  The reciprocal tariff rate will be applied to those without an FTA effective July 9th.

[The EU (who wants a trade deal now) is eventually going to align with Canada (who will need a trade deal later).  This factors into the current trade dynamic and looms over the decision making.]

Post July 9th, President Trump moves on to other important geopolitical matters with the tariffs as an ancillary weapon for adherence to the new international trade alignment.  Those who want to benefit commit to the U.S. dollar as the trade currency (that’s the reason for India’s announcement today), and trade preferences are then used to shake up the geopolitical alignments.  Watch for how this plays out with Trump’s planned UK visit.

From there, and after the gnashing of teeth settles down, later in the summer President Trump then triggers the USMCA renegotiation phase with Mexico and Canada.   President Trump is essentially ambivalent to the pleas from nations who want to continue their trade imbalance.  This sequencing and outline appears clear; but let’s watch and see what happens.

Jul 2 2025

Speaker Mike Johnson Wants Big Beautiful Bill Through House by Independence Day


Posted originally on CTH on July 1, 2025 | Sundance

♦ Some people just can’t take a win.  For the “I need to be outraged” group I would suggest their best time for complaining would be to join the collective association of the tech crew (Musk/Thiel), the alligator emojis (DeSantis/Cruz Crew) and the CONservative free traders (Massie, Paul, Roy).  That group of always unhappy, whining and never satisfied knuckleheads will welcome the griping, bitching and moaning.

However, that doesn’t work here. We have a big win to celebrate.

♦ The Senate version of the previously passed Big Beautiful Bill cuts more spending than originally delivered from the House.  You might ask why then did spending opposition narratives surface now and not when it passed through the House? Good question, we’ll get to that ‘political answer’ in a moment.

For now, the BBB is on track as it was originally planned (by July 4th); albeit right at the outer limits of the predicted timeframe that was announced in January.

[SOURCE]

The Senate BBB passed on a 50-50 vote split, highlighting it was the most conservative bill that could possibly squeak through the Senate.  It is the culmination of MAGA interests -vs- MAGA opposition, with the biggest win being the $70 billion for border security and ongoing deportation operations.

The original plan was always to use rescission bills to cut out the DOGE waste. Per Senate rules, the rescissions/cuts cannot be done until after the initial funding bill is passed (that’s BBB). Timeline: July – BBB, Aug – Rescission bills to cut DOGE waste {examples}, and Sept – FY 2026 Budget bill which begins October 1st.

Additionally, the narrative about the Senate bill including Medicaid spending for illegal aliens is false.

♦ The ban on Medicaid for illegal aliens is actually stronger than initially thought [See page 602. Section 77109].  As noted by Senator Schmidt, “the bill actually goes much further than the house version – beyond banning Medicaid for 1.4 million illegal aliens, it: • Requires states to verify citizenship status before providing coverage • Bans automatic Medicaid enrollment for children of illegal aliens • Excludes DACA from Medicaid.”

♦ This brings me to the “political opposition” aspect.

The declared “spending opposition” to the bill is actually a cover narrative for those who demand expanded immigration (Wall Street) and stand against border control and deportation.

They are angry about the immigration enforcement aspect but must remain quiet about it because so many Americans support the border security part.  So, the CONservatives and Tech bros attack based on spending, but that’s really just a Mick “Cantaloupes” Mulvaney maneuver.

In addition to destroying the “Green New Deal” fiasco, the Big Beautiful Bill gives $70 billion to President Trump to secure the border and get rid of criminal illegal aliens. The border security money is needed to exit the illegal aliens who Obama/Biden imported.  Money for more ICE agents and repatriation flight costs.

The border wall needs to be finished and all measures to ensure the total lockdown. Trump is securing the border, the first step in any immigration reform effort.  This was Ronald Reagan’s biggest mistake.  If congress now wants to discuss what comes next after the criminal illegal aliens & Biden illegal aliens are removed…. with a secure border, that conversation is now possible.

♦ Spending?  Congress and the media have a vested interest in hiding the truth from the American public because factually everything in the BBB is fully funded.   I know, I know, many people are saying, “wait, fully funded? How is that possible?”

Here’s the part everyone keeps missing.  Within the global trade reset President Trump has established a baseline 10% tariff. That means from this moment until the end of time every country will pay a minimum of 10% tariffs on every single import. Even if they get a free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S. the baseline 10% remains, just like the U.K. deal recently completed.

Yes, steel and aluminum and other targeted tariffs may exceed the baseline 10%, but the baseline will always remain at 10% for everything imported.  There will never be an item delivered to the USA that does not include a 10% baseline tariff.

That baseline 10% tariff revenue -in perpetuity- funds the BBB spending and all of the associated middle-class tax relief within it.  Tariff revenues create a neutral state of spending impact.  This fact is why and how the White House convinced the House and Senate on the deal.

In material fact, even a future Democrat political apparatus will never be able to discontinue the 10% baseline tariffs because they will be dependent on the revenue generated.  Tariff revenue makes spending possible, that stops Democrats from withdrawing it.  In a way President Trump has lowered the income tax burden by shifting revenue to tariffs.

Elon Musk is a disgruntled Tech Bro who: (A) doesn’t like tariffs; (B) is worried about the new visa reviews and H-1B limits under Marco Rubio; (C) angered about the elimination of his Green New Deal subsidies; and is (D) directly attached to and dependent on China.  Plus, wait to see the value loss in Palantir if Trump and Putin strike a deal. Musk is an evil person.

There is a massive amount of winning within this deal.  Just remember, the better something is the more the opposition will use all the tools and puppets at their disposal to keep you from realizing its value.

CNN asked me “Why is @ElonMusk wrong about the Big Beautiful Bill?”

My answer. pic.twitter.com/lKoNeNTWrz

— James Fishback (@j_fishback) July 1, 2025

Big wins today.

Huge.

We’re only five months in….