Why impose tariffs on penguins?

Okay, it's only a semi-serious question that Jake Tapper is asking Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture. She's obviously flummoxed by the question, which really has no sensible answer: Why impose a 10% tariff on an Australian territory with no people? When she responds that "the people that are leading this are serious, intentional, patriotic, the smartest people I've ever worked with" -- serious? The smartest people she's ever worked with? Apparently the people she's worked with are pretty damn dumb. What I enjoy most about this clip is when she says "we are unleashing a new golden age, and we will see an economy that will benefit not just every corner of America but our farmers and our ranchers and the people that have been left behind for far too long by both Republicans and Democrats." A new golden age, huh? Well, I guess time will tell; but you're not off to a very good start, lady.

TAPPER: You're imposing a 10% on the Heard and MccDonald islands. They have zero human inhabitants. Why are you putting tariffs on islands that are entirely populated by penguins?

BROOKE ROLLINS: C'mon Jake. Whatever. Listen, the people that are leading this are serious,… pic.twitter.com/QkUdyuzNRw

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 6, 2025

Listen to Fareed Zakaria.

Every motherfucking word. 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯👇 pic.twitter.com/a6zzpvj7zB

— Bill Madden (@maddenifico) April 5, 2025

Richard Branson on Trump's tariffs

This is a four-part tweet by Richard Branson, reacting to Trump's tariffs on April 4:

Strong leadership means taking risks and trying things - but when it doesn’t work, realising your mistake and correcting it. Quickly.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from 60 years of business is to accept when I’m wrong and change course. The US government’s sweeping tariffs are taking the world’s economy in a dangerous direction. They will make people everywhere worse off – especially in America.

It’s not just about the economy. Countries that trade fairly and healthily prosper and flourish. They reduce poverty, improve health and education, and decrease the likelihood of war.

Courage & self-awareness are cornerstones of true leadership. That includes quickly acknowledging errors & making corrections. With a swift reversal back to sensible economic policy, America & the rest of the world can still avoid the catastrophic fall out these tariffs will inflict.

San Francisco in the 1950s

Five-minute video of 1940s and '50s San Francisco. Lots of men wearing hats!

Wonderful film of SAN FRANCISCO in the 1950’s. pic.twitter.com/JjgHNAGGoS

— Michael Warburton (@TheMonologist) April 3, 2025