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Trump’s Hardline Trade Tactics Deliver Global Concessions

In a series of diplomatic victories for the Trump administration, multiple nations have recently made major concessions in response to U.S. economic pressure. From Latin America to North America and beyond, President Trump’s tough stance on trade and immigration is reshaping global alliances and reinforcing U.S. economic leverage.

Colombia Bows to U.S. Deportation Demands

After President Trump threatened economic sanctions against Colombia for refusing to accept deported citizens, the South American nation quickly reversed its position. Colombian President Gustavo Petro authorized the return of deported nationals, even deploying the Colombian Air Force to assist with transportation. This decision follows Trump’s warning of steep tariffs on Colombian imports, a move that many believe forced Bogotá’s hand.

Panama Backs Away from China’s Belt and Road Initiative

In another major shift, Panama has announced its decision to withdraw from China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative, signaling a diplomatic win for Washington. The U.S. has long viewed China’s infrastructure investments in Latin America as a strategic concern, and Trump’s efforts to curb Beijing’s influence appear to be paying off. The move was praised by U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Marco Rubio, who called it “a step in the right direction for protecting sovereignty in the region.”

Mexico Strengthens Border Security Under U.S. Pressure

Mexico, too, has adjusted its policies in response to Trump’s demands, agreeing to deploy 10,000 troops to its northern border to curb illegal immigration. The decision follows the administration’s announcement of new tariffs on Mexican goods, which were briefly delayed to allow for negotiations. Mexican officials have stated their commitment to securing the border, an issue that remains a key concern for the Trump administration.

Will Canada and the EU Follow?

With these major shifts in Latin America, speculation is mounting over whether other U.S. trade partners will follow suit. Canada and the European Union have faced similar pressure from the Trump administration, and some analysts predict they, too, will soon make concessions to maintain favorable trade relations with the United States.

Markets React but Quickly Stabilize

In the wake of these major policy shifts, financial markets initially reacted with panic, with stocks experiencing sharp declines and volatility surging. However, within hours, the markets stabilized as investors regained confidence, recognizing the long-term benefits of a stronger negotiating position for the U.S. This quick recovery suggests that despite initial uncertainty, Wall Street and global investors are adapting to Trump’s aggressive trade strategy.

As President Trump continues to use economic leverage to secure policy wins, the world is watching to see which nation will be next to adjust its stance in response to U.S. demands.

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On a Roll!

President Trump’s Action-Packed Agenda: Executive Orders, Border Security, Energy Independence, and American Values

Washington, D.C. – Since assuming office, President Donald J. Trump has embarked on an ambitious path to restore what he describes as “American greatness,” signing a slate of executive orders and traveling to key states impacted by economic, natural, and social challenges. These actions reflect a commitment to advancing a robust policy agenda spanning national security, energy independence, economic reform, and cultural restoration.

A Surge of Executive Orders to Redefine Governance

President Trump has signed an unprecedented number of executive orders aimed at reversing policies of the prior administration while implementing his vision for a revitalized America. These orders cover a wide array of areas, from bolstering border security to cutting regulatory red tape and restoring accountability in government.

Among the most notable is a comprehensive directive to streamline federal bureaucracy, freeze non-essential hiring, and eliminate burdensome diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. This move, aimed at maximizing government efficiency, is part of his broader effort to “drain the swamp.” The President has also prioritized executive orders addressing energy independence, national security, and the protection of American values.

Commitment to Border Security and Public Safety

President Trump has taken bold steps to address the record-high border crossings and related criminal activity. Executive orders include reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, ending catch-and-release practices, and empowering law enforcement and the National Guard to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. Additionally, the President plans to designate transnational criminal cartels, including Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations, leveraging the Alien Enemies Act to enhance deportation efforts.

During recent visits to North Carolina and California—states significantly impacted by immigration challenges and criminal activity—President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of American communities. These trips underscored the administration’s focus on hearing directly from local leaders and citizens grappling with these pressing issues.

Energy Independence and Economic Relief

President Trump has declared a national energy emergency and initiated actions to reduce regulatory barriers for American energy production. By rolling back climate policies introduced by the Biden administration, the President aims to lower energy costs and restore U.S. energy dominance. This includes reducing restrictions on domestic oil production, mining, and critical infrastructure projects.

In his executive orders, President Trump has also emphasized the importance of consumer choice. From lightbulbs to dishwashers, his policies aim to end government overreach in everyday American life, offering consumers freedom and affordability.

The administration’s energy policy includes withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord and halting leasing to wind farms, which the President claims degrade natural landscapes and fail to meet energy demands effectively.

Cultural Restoration and Protecting American Values

President Trump’s agenda extends to reinforcing traditional American values. He has announced initiatives to preserve historical landmarks, protect women’s rights from what he terms “radical gender ideology,” and promote biological realities in public policy. These measures are part of his broader vision to foster a sense of national pride and unity.

Looking Ahead

The President’s sweeping reforms and actions signal a transformative era in American governance. While critics argue that these policies represent a sharp shift from the previous administration, supporters laud them as necessary steps to restore national security, economic stability, and cultural integrity.

As President Trump continues to visit states affected by crises and implement new policies through executive orders, his administration aims to solidify its legacy as one of decisive action and unyielding commitment to the American people.

The White House. (2025, January). President Trump’s America First priorities. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/01/president-trumps-america-first-priorities/

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Thoughts on the Trip to D.C.

This January, Reid and I had the distinct honor of traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. While we were not in the front row, we were fortunate to find ourselves right in the midst of the action, surrounded by thousands of passionate individuals, all gathered to witness a defining moment in American history.

From the moment we arrived, the energy in the air was palpable. The streets of D.C. were lined with people from across the country, each contributing to the sense of occasion and excitement. As we made our way to the National Mall, the magnitude of the event began to truly sink in—this was more than just a political transition; it was a historic gathering, where citizens from all walks of life came together to be part of something larger than themselves.

Throughout the day, Reid and I made it our mission to capture as much of the event as possible. The crowd’s enthusiasm, the grandeur of the ceremony, and the historic speeches all offered a wealth of content that we were eager to share. From candid shots of the diverse crowd to the impressive procession, we documented the event from a variety of perspectives, hoping to convey the significance of the day not just through images, but through the emotions and spirit of the occasion.

The inauguration itself was a spectacular sight. The excitement in the air was contagious, with moments of anticipation and cheers that reverberated across the Mall. We had the opportunity to witness firsthand the power of democracy in action, as millions gathered to support the peaceful transfer of power, something that remains a cornerstone of American ideals. The atmosphere was charged with history, and every step we took through the crowds felt like we were walking through a living narrative.

As we return home and begin to review the content we captured, we are filled with a sense of gratitude and pride. The images and videos we took serve as a visual representation of the energy and optimism that permeated the event. We are excited to share this unique experience with our audience and encourage them to interact with the content, contributing their own perspectives and memories of that unforgettable day.

Our trip to D.C. was more than just an opportunity to witness a political event—it was a chance to be a part of something truly historic. The privilege of standing shoulder to shoulder with so many others, all there to witness a moment that will be remembered for years to come, is something that Reid and I will carry with us for a lifetime.

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Tucker Carlson’s Interview with Putin; a Short Analysis

In the first few days following Tucker Carlson’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the internet was buzzing with chatter, but as is the norm, that chatter has begun to die down. One may be left wondering what good came of that interview; what purpose did it serve; what effects may it have had? The following discourse will explore these questions. 

According to Carlson, his desire to interview the Russian politician dates back some time and was stymied by the US Intelligence agencies and their various partners within the DOJ and the State Department amongst others – which very well could be the subject of its own lengthy article. While no concrete evidence of this is overtly available to link here, it seems logical that there is Truth to Carlson’s statements given the similar treatment by these intelligence Agencies of other prominent people of that day, such as:  George Papadopoulus, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, and a whole host of others.

Could Carlson’s desire to interview Putin come from a desire to elevate his own career? Perhaps Carlson sees something in Putin that he respects and admires. Maybe Carlson just wanted to spend time getting to know a man he sees as a kindred spirit of sorts. It has certainly been easy for many analysts of the left-leaning media outlets to cast such aspersions on Tucker, attributing his true desire for the interview as pure vanity.

Despite these subjective hypotheses, Carlson himself detailed in a follow up talk at the World Governments Summit just how timely in nature the interview was, and how it is his sincere hope that relations between Nations may be strengthened by having such a thought-provoking interview. The discussion he and the moderator had delved down deep, much deeper than any of the discussions happening in the American media following the Putin interview.

Towards the end of the discussion Carlson details the profound changes happening in our world today and how the true struggle of mankind is a Spiritual one. It is on this point that Carlson hits an axiom that the modern world is often willfully ignorant of. In Russia, however, religion is still strong and most Russian citizens have profound attachments to what we consider to be Judeo-Christian values.

In this regard Many of the western nations should have more in common than we observe in the world today. As mass-migration orchestrated by bad actors has severely impacted the homogeneity of many nation states, the delicate balance between social order and thirsty aspiration has grown ever more tenuous. 

It seems in many ways that the world is at a great crossroads in the present. Long-established moral, ethical, and liberal principles as well as long-held alliances between nations, states, and municipalities hang in the balance. In some places we have seen hopeful indicators that a realignment towards righteousness is coming. The new President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele has made huge strides in turning his country from the most dangerous nation, to one of the safest on the globe. We have seen similar movements in other places, such as Argentina who just successfully put Javier Milei into power.

Only time will tell which way the future will go, but we must have Faith that the true universal power is guiding us. The time to choose order over strife is now; peace and prosperity over chaos and adversity. Carlson seems to share the sentiment that now is a time to sit at the table with Great Men in power, to find consensus, to put old grievances to bed, and to move boldly and bravely into a bright future.

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Trump Desantis Head to Head

With Trump’s name in the news more and more due to the recent legal developments out of New York, it is becoming clearer and clearer that he and Florida Governor Ron Desantis are headed into what is sure to be a nail-biter of a head to head battle for the Republican nomination. Recent polls show Trump climbing above Desantis where it had been the opposite only a couple of months ago. This is surely a testament to the human psyche. Trump is center stage again whereas Desantis is feeling the effects of the adage that “what is out of sight is out of mind.” 

Trump, who is certainly no stranger to press, public scrutiny, and legal persecution is now gaining some sympathy from voters who consider themselves in the middle or who were otherwise non-committal concerning the 2024 political hopefuls. As yet another seemingly “trumped-up” case drags the former President back into the court room, hearts and minds sway. When the legal genius of former CIA deputy director Andrew McCabe who is now a contributor for CNN admits to their viewers that the case against Trump is a “disappointment” due to it’s seeming lack of teeth – even the more liberal minds may begin to doubt if the day will ever come that sees Trump behind bars as pundits on CNN have been promising for years on end. An audience can surely only eat the same baloney so many times before they begin to turn away in disgust.

The question arises how Desantis may feel about these changes in polling and seeming popularity. Trump has the clout of having already won the National race in the infamous 2016 cycle, but will this and the new publicity regarding the latest round of politically-charged prosecutions be enough to secure another win? Desantis has of course never stated that he will in fact run for the presidency in the upcoming cycle, but his name has been in the forefront of many hearts, minds, and political polls with many taking it for granted that he will indeed run. 

A new report from the Washington Examiner detailing that Trump appears to be trying to “poach” some of the Florida Governor’s largest donors, makes this author wonder whether Desantis may indeed switch gears and pursue his own ambitions with a gusto that he has been hesitant to exhibit thus far. Only time will tell, but when one’s source of funding comes into question men have a habit of reacting. Whether Desantis intends to run for President or not, he surely has future ambitions, and to lose some of his biggest donors to former President Trump may hinder his abilities to raise capital and fund future campaigns.

As we watch the race unfold, more and more scrutiny will be applied to these two men. Trump has missed no punches making clear his ambitions and goals to be seated as the 47th President. As of the publishing of this article it appears that the ball is in Desantis’s court to make his decision and to fight to clear his own path to the primary nomination on the Republican ticket if he wants it.

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Sneak Peak, part 2!

Once again, this may give you an insight into an upcoming episode the guys are cooking up on the Wicky Wacky Radio Show!! It may seem familiar, but it’s not Groundhog’s Day (yet) we’ve been cleaning out our fridge now that the holiday season is behind us, and we had a few tasty treats still hanging around! We had enough fun last time to do it over again! We hope you may join us in the fun!

A hazy IPA “Yule time cheer, tangy, winter spices” 6% ABV Cleveland, OH
White Ale. Brewed with clementine-infused orange peel and spices. 5.3% ABV Boston, MA
Christmas Ale “Cookies, Spice, All Things Nice” 8% ABV Cleveland, OH
Brewed with clementine-infused orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, and rich malt. 5.6% ABV Boston, MA
Fresh Hop IPA 6.8% ABV Chico, CA
Ale. “Lush, effervescent – hits your tastebuds like a berry nor’easter – lip smacking Berry Blizzard – apple, cherry, raspberry, blackberry – a frentic flurry of fruit – worth the weather.” 5% ABV Cincinnati, OH
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Sneak Peak!

This may give a big clue about an upcoming podcast your wonderful hosts hope to air on The Wicky Wacky Radio Show, and just in time for Christmas! Just don’t tell Santa, and we won’t either!!! Merry Christmas from Contemporary Conservative!


Brewed in Texas – Brewed with Peaches and Pecans, a dark wheat flavored ale, “a smoothness that makes the subtle texas peach and roasted pecan flavors all the more satisfying.” 5.4% ABV

Brewed in Cincinnati, OH. “Inspiring madness, rooted in purpose” An Indian Pale Ale with Spruce Tips. 6.8% ABV

Brewed here in Columbus – “a Hoppy Holiday Ale” 7.3% ABV

Brewed in Cincinnati. “Hoppy Holiday Ale” [Hi thirsty, I’m Dad – a hoppy red ale with robust malt as ample and snug as a well-worn flannel – notes of dank piney hops – uphill both ways in the snow. Keep it up and I’ll turn this can around. 6.0% ABV

Brewed in Chicago, IL. “Festively Smooth” 7.5%ABV

Brewed in Waunakee, WI. Dill Pickle + Xmas Gose 4.3% ABV
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Podcast Bonus

Here it is! You listened to it, now you can see it! Hope you laugh as hard as we did!!

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Pence, 1; Harris 0.

     By now everyone knows Mike Pence was the actual winner of the recent vice presidential debate against Kamala Harris. Sure, I might be biased in favor of the Vice President, but  it isn’t just me making the suggestion; the media thinks so too.

     You can tell they think he won by what they choose to focus on in their post-debate coverage. Rather than filling the airwaves with tremendous praise for Harris, they took the time to point out and make jokes about a fly that landed on Mike Pence’s head. For example, Steve Schmidt said speaking to MSNBC’s Ari Melber, “I don’t think it’s ever a good sign when a fly lands on your head for two minutes. That’s a sign, all through history, of sin, and historically; biblically—it’s only safe to say this, Ari, after midnight: but a fly, he who commands the fly [has] always been seen historically as the mark of the devil”. Even more ridiculously, Gail King believes the fly was a “fly of color” and was making a statement in regards to Pence’s comments related to “implicit bias” in regards to the police.

     The media definitely had a few nice things to say about Harris’s performance. Valerie Jarrett, former Obama senior advisor, said Harris was “effective at prosecuting” the Trump record, and also stated that Harris explained the Biden plan with “passion” and “humanity”. Mika Brzezinski on MSNBC said Kamala was “fabulous, disciplined, and strong”; however, the primary focus has been put on the Vice President.

     Instead of continuing to spread the message of Harris’s performance and how good they thought it was, the media gives their attention to Pence. The prevailing message is about how he was being overtly sexist and racist.

  Most notably, VP Pence was accused of “mansplaining” for interrupting Sen. Harris while she was speaking. In the world of leftists, what is common occurrence during debates becomes an act of sexism against Harris. They think it is rude and disrespectful to interrupt a woman when she is speaking, and that it is a sign of male privilege and misogyny.

     Of course this is a bunch of BS. Mike Pence has plenty of respect and care for women, and has been known to be weary of being alone in a room with a woman due to the fact that people can and often do make negative assumptions about any man’s behavior around a woman when they are alone. Remember, this is the same media who called Mitt Romney sexist when he acknowledged he had a binder full of women’s resumes that he would like to hire.

     Even ABC’s own, Martha Raddatz, did not agree with the claims of ‘mansplaining’. Responding to George Stephanopolous, she said, “When I hear people … talk about mansplaining and talk about these things with Kamala Harris and [say that], ‘A man shouldn’t interrupt her, it’s going to look bad’ … Kamala Harris is a vice-presidential candidate. She should be able to stand up for herself. Yes, it’s history-making. Yes, you can talk about her history and who she is and [the fact that] she’s a woman of color, but a [vice presidential candidate] can interrupt another vice presidential candidate. It is up to [a] candidate to talk back, to interrupt [the other] themselves, or to hold on to that debate in any way they could.”

     Besides Kamala Harris’s personality, reticent answers, and obnoxious laughter, she actually did seem to have held her own on that debate stage. There is no doubt that VP Pence had a couple issues of his own like avoiding questions that he could have easily provided an answer to, but when the media spends all their time tearing down Pence and making dumb remarks about a fly instead of building up Harris as a great debater and clear winner, you have to know the the reality is Pence 1, Harris 0.

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No Justice for Peace

Judging by the headline, one might think I would talk about something related to the protests and riots that continue to happen across our country. I won’t be though. I’m going to detail how President Trump receives no recognition for the peace he has achieved.

We all know former president Obama was given the Nobel peace prize in 2009. He was awarded the prize without dissent. Here’s a bit of what the chairman had to say about the board’s decision. “We have not given the prize for what may happen in the future. We are awarding Obama for what he has done in the past year. And we are hoping this may contribute a little bit [to] what he is trying to do.”. Over the preceding year, Obama had mostly made speeches and political promises. In other words, nothing at all. Just ask NBC’s Matt Lauer, who at the time said, “Not to be rude, but Obama hasn’t done anything.”.

  The president was nominated for the Nobel less than two weeks into the first year of his Presidency, and by the time he was given the award it had only been 9 months. Some might argue that he made some policy decisions early on that were aimed at peace. However, given such a short amount of time, it could not be known whether the policies would work. Furthermore, according to William A. Galson at the time,” Obama was weighing whether or not to send an additional 40,00 troops to Afghanistan”.

Now it’s 2020, and our current president, Donald Trump, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. I would hope this isn’t news to you, but considering the state of the leading media outlets, you probably haven’t heard much about it. If Obama can win the prize for doing almost nothing, President Trump should certainly be recognized with the Nobel for doing all the things he has been able to accomplish.

Rather than just making a few nice sounding speeches about peace, Donald Trump and his cabinet members, chiefly Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, have actually been able to achieve real, measurable peace. Their efforts while holding office have ultimately culminated in what is probably going to be known as one of the greatest foreign policy achievements in modern history; the peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

For Israel, this agreement points towards greater signs of acceptance in the region. Establishing better relations with Arab countries has been a goal for Israel. For the UAE, it allows them to build economic and diplomatic ties with Israel. It could also allow the UAE to have better access to U.S. weaponry. The agreement between the two countries was reached with the Trump administration serving as a go-between.

  The current administration has also been able to make new agreements with Kosovo and Serbia, and most recently, Bahrain. The agreement with Serbia and Kosovo also bolstered those countries’ relations with Israel along with better relations between themselves. The latest deal with Bahrain is an agreement for them and Israel to normalize their relations much like the UAE. All of this happened within a 30-day span; and there are suspicions more agreements with countries throughout the middle-east will be coming sooner rather than later. Add on top of that the fact that under the Trump administration, the power of ISIS has been greatly reduced from what it once was.

Pres. Trump has come closer to ending our involvement in Afghanistan than Obama ever did; having announced that all of the troops in the region will be withdrawn by 2021. He has also convinced many of our NATO allies to do their part in securing the world.

As I was finishing this article, I learned Donald Trump has not only been nominated once, but twice for the prize. It is clear that President Trump has done more to advance peace across the globe than Obama ever did, and if Donald Trump is not awarded the Nobel, it only shows that the committee making this decision has no concern for actual achievements that can be measured; there is no recognition for true peace, and that wouldn’t be serving justice.