Newsweek is reporting that President Donald J Trump stated he does not "think about Americans' financial situation at all" in connection with a war he initiated and is currently losing. This comment came on a day when monthly inflation data revealed prices had risen nearly 4%, marking the highest level in three years and surpassing wage gains, primarily due to escalating energy and food costs. Newsweek said that new leaked intelligence indicates the enemy involved in the conflict retains 90% of its missile launch capabilities after 11 weeks of fighting. It also noted that a top Pentagon official testified the war has cost U.S. taxpayers $29 billion and continues to accrue expenses, not including the impact of gas prices approaching $5.
Separately, Newsweek is monitoring several significant political races in California. It highlighted the Los Angeles mayoral primary as a particularly interesting contest. The race features incumbent Democrat Karen Bass, whom Newsweek described as known for "incompetence" during the Palisades fires last year. Also running is progressive City Council member Nithya Raman, noted for advocating for homeless encampments near schools. The third candidate is Republican Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV figure, who is running what Newsweek characterized as a "spite campaign" after losing his home in the same fires. Pratt's campaign focuses on quality-of-life issues, anti-corruption, and housing, avoiding broader ideological debates. Newsweek said California's jungle primary system means the top two vote-getters will advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation, and speculated a Bass-Pratt matchup.
Newsweek also detailed Pratt's use of AI-generated political advertising, including videos depicting him as a Jedi and his opponents as villains, and another showing Los Angeles as Gotham. It mentioned a non-AI ad that contrasted his burned-out property with the pristine homes of his opponents. Newsweek is also covering an interview with Saikat Chakrabarti, a Democratic Socialist candidate in California's 11th Congressional District, which includes San Francisco. Chakrabarti, an early employee of Stripe and former campaign manager for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is self-funding his campaign while advocating for an end to self-funded campaigns.