Trump signs executive order to block state AI regulations

One sweeping AI move from the White House collides with tariffs, polls, and household budgets screaming “enough already.

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Yezil Rhose Angelei Lusaya, Haleigh Rice & American Centrist
December 12, 2025

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Today’s newsletter in 2 lines:

Washington escalates the AI power struggle as tariffs, health costs, and labor-market jitters all hit Americans’ wallets at once. Markets shrug (for now), while global flashpoints, streaming wars, and very practical life hacks fight for your attention.

Hey there, American Centrist friends! It’s Friday, and we’re catching up on everything that dropped yesterday. No spin, no noise, just what actually matters (and maybe a little tea). ☕

Joke of the day:

Why did the spreadsheet break up with the calculator?

Because it felt like it was being taken for granted.😅

LET’S MAKE THIS EASY FOR YOU

  • 🇺🇸 Keeping up with America - Latest news on what happening in America

  • Around the 🌎 in 80 Seconds - Yeah we are fast at getting you the latest global news.

  • Lets Talk Business 💼 and Tech 🤖 - No AI is not taking over (YET)!

  • Rich, Wiser, Happier - This is a must read if you want any of that!

  • Sports and Showbiz Shenanigans - Trust me this will keep you entertained

  • Life Hack to Hack Your Life - What kinda tips and tricks do you have?

Keeping up with America

The White House moves to preempt a patchwork of state AI rules, setting up a showdown with governors, tech giants, and civil-liberties groups over who gets to police algorithms. 

Democrats roll out a new analysis that slaps a dollar figure on the trade-war hangover — and you can guess what they’ll be repeating in every 2026 ad. 

Voters are feeling the squeeze on prices, debt and insecurity — and they’re starting to aim the frustration at the Oval Office. 

Millions could see higher premiums as lawmakers punt on a fix — just as families re-up their coverage for 2026. 

Bipartisan China hawks try to clamp down on Wall Street’s exposure to sensitive tech — and send another signal to Beijing that the money spigot has new strings attached. 

If you had to choose one lever to pull on AI in America right now, which would you pick?

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Around the World

Kyiv scrambles to keep allies aligned while Washington leans hard for a fast settlement that may redraw maps and red lines. 

The rights group’s findings pile legal and moral pressure on both sides as negotiations drag on. 

A surprise exit plan throws fresh uncertainty into a key U.S. ally’s already-tense political calendar. 

Tokyo and Washington answer Beijing and Moscow’s exercises with their own sky-high message over the Sea of Japan. 

A brutal photo recap of the year’s worst natural disasters — and a reminder that “once-in-a-lifetime” is becoming routine. 

Business & Tech

The S&P 500 flirts with records again as traders bet on gentle rate cuts and no immediate recession monster under the bed. 

A late-day rally turns nerves into FOMO as big-cap tech and industrials drag indexes higher. 

Jobless claims notch their biggest jump in years — still not panic territory, but enough to make HR teams and side-hustlers pay attention. 

If you want government contracts, your AI models will need receipts on how they treat left vs. right — and everyone in between. 

Theaters are alive again, but the real knife fight is streaming platforms burning billions to own your couch. 

Quick take: For founders and freelancers, the message is loud: the macro is “okay-ish,” the job market is softening at the edges, and AI rules are arriving faster than most SOPs. Keep an eye on cashflow, not just headlines.

Richer, Wiser, Happier

Tiny tweaks to fees, interest, and “lazy money” add up fast — whether you’re retired or just retirement-curious. 

Annuities, pensions, and laddered products step into the chat — with all the fine print your future self wishes you’d read. 

A push to cap fees could reshape who gets plastic, who gets rewards — and who’s left paying in cash. 

Proof that “too late” is mostly a story we tell ourselves — especially if your product actually solves a real annoyance. 

A masterclass in brand, story, and not trying to be Amazon — just being unmistakably you. 

Big picture: Rates are still your friend if you’re a saver, still your enemy if you’re over-leveraged, and still a puzzle if you’re thinking about when to leap full-time into your own thing.

Sports & Showbiz Shenanigans

Houston’s young core steals a statement win and reminds everyone that the West’s middle class is getting dangerous fast. 

Denver flips the “they’re coasting” narrative with a demolition that looks a lot like a spring preview. 

Gamers get nervous and excited at the same time as a beloved franchise heads into the high-pressure streaming spotlight. 

From comfort rewatches to buzzy premieres, your holiday binge queue is about to get unmanageable. 

Hadouken nostalgia meets modern CGI — and fans instantly start arguing about casting, costumes, and canon. 

7 Ways to Take Control of Your Legacy

Planning your estate might not sound like the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but trust us, it’s worth it. And with The Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning, preparing isn’t as daunting as it may seem.

Inside, you’ll find {straightforward advice} on tackling key documents to clearly spell out your wishes.

Plus, there’s help for having those all-important family conversations about your financial legacy to make sure everyone’s on the same page (and avoid negative future surprises).

Why leave things to chance when you can take control? Explore ways to start, review or refine your estate plan today with The Investor’s Guide to Estate Planning.

Life Hack to Hack Your Life

10 Genius Gift-Wrapping Tips and Tricks Everyone Should Know This Christmas

Turn chaos into crisp corners and bow-porn — including how to fake “fancy” with dollar-store supplies.

8 Costly Grocery Mistakes That Quietly Blow Up Your Food Budget

From “just popping in” to buying the wrong size, these tiny habits are why your total keeps shocking you.

How Greenville Shoppers Are Avoiding Holiday Debt This Year

Local shoppers share real tactics to dodge post-Christmas bill shock without skipping the fun.

5 Groceries Smart Shoppers Grab Now Ahead of the Holidays

Stock these pantry MVPs early so you’re not paying surge pricing for flour, pumpkin, and everything nice.

AAA Expects ‘Sleigh-Busting’ Crowds on the Move This Holiday Season

Where traffic will be worst, and how to time your drive so you’re not stuck in holiday-road-rage purgatory.

Budget Holiday Travel Tips From a Pro Who Literally Wrote the Book on Free Trips

A travel-channel host breaks down how to squeeze flights, hotels, and road trips into a very 2025 budget.

Going Home for the Holidays? 5 Tips to Make the Trip Actually Fun

Scripts, boundaries, and mindset shifts so family drama doesn’t hijack your “break.”

Holiday Shoppers Plan to Spend Less This Year Due to Inflation

Data-driven look at how Americans are quietly changing gift habits — plus what to copy if you want to save.

Holiday Shopping Costs Rise, Impacting Gift Choices

Why toys, decor, and even Christmas trees cost more — and how experts say to pivot without killing the vibe.

7 Insights for Building a Wedding Budget That Actually Feels Manageable

A values-first wedding budget: percentages, guest-list rules, and guardrails so “just this one upgrade” doesn’t snowball.

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