Good morning! It’s Tuesday, April 1, 2025. In today’s newsletter:

• Sadly this is not an April Fool’s Day joke 😱

• The most important news right now — and why it’s important 🧐

• How we can stop Elon Musk 🛑

• Stories the algorithm may have kept out of your feed 👀

⏱️ Estimated read time: 4 minutes, 46 seconds

‘NOT A JOKE’

4 Ways Trump Could Steal a Third Term

Over the weekend, wannabe dictator Donald Trump again declared his interest in a third term as president.

• That, on its face, would defy the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution, which forbids anyone from being elected to the presidency more than twice.

But as one expert told Politico, “Anyone who says the 22nd Amendment will deter Trump is living on a different planet.”

BACKGROUND: In a phone interview with NBC, Trump was asked whether he'd consider a third term. His response: “A lot of people want me to do it.”

• Even though his supporters have repeatedly claimed Trump isn’t serious, Trump flatly said he’s "not joking."

This time, he even addressed potential ways a third term could be achieved, but demurred on specifics.

POSSIBLE PATHS: To steal a third term (because Trump has never “served” anybody but himself his entire life), Trump has four options:

1. Repeal the 22nd Amendment: The long and arduous repeal process makes this unlikely, but Republicans are already pushing for it.

2. Exploit a loophole: Trump could run as VP and take over if/when the president resigns. It’s legal gray area, but terrifyingly plausible.

3. Defy the Constitution and run again: He could dare the courts—packed with his appointees—to stop him.

4. Simply refuse to leave: The most chilling scenario—canceling or ignoring election results under the guise of emergency powers.

We know that Trump wanted to delay the 2020 election because of the pandemic—and then launched a failed coup to overturn the results of that election when he lost.

• Last time, the institutions of our democracy barely survived his full frontal attack. Will they three years from now?

MORE: Jon Stewart had the perfect response last night to Trump’s third term comments.

📰 Most important stories right now

There’s a lot of sh*t out there. Here’s what’s actually important—and why.

Special elections in Florida today make Trump, GOP sweat

Why it matters: Voters go to the polls today in three elections, and at least two of those are seen as early referendums on Trump. One race, for now-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz’s seat in the House, is making Republicans especially anxious. Full story from The Hill.

Why Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff transformation is so risky

Why it matters: Trump is promising that tomorrow will be “Liberation Day”—when he imposes dollar-for-dollar reciprocal tariffs on nations that levy duties on US goods. We may be “liberated” right into a recession. Full story from CNN.

France shows world how to handle would-be authoritarians

Why it matters: A court in France sentenced the leader of the country’s far-right, fascist party to jail and barred her from running for president for embezzlement. Against a rising tide of fascism, it’s all hands on deck/by any means necessary. Full story from the BBC.

DON’T STOP BELIEVIN

How we can stop Elon Musk

The world’s richest person thrives on power, influence, and the illusion that he can’t be beat—but an election today could prove otherwise.

• If voters hand Elon Musk a loss, it will show how everyday, working class Americans can short-circuit billionaire power—potentially providing a roadmap for his political demise.

DRIVING THE NEWS: Today, voters in Wisconsin will decide who will have the majority—liberals or conservatives—on the State Supreme Court.

• Musk has poured over $20 million into the race, helping to smash the record for most expensive judicial race ever (a record held by the previous Wisconsin Supreme Court election two years ago).

Musk, a fascist ideologue, is at least partly driven by money. Tesla is fighting a state law there that requires automakers sell their vehicles through third-party dealerships.

• He’s been campaigning in a cheesehead hat and even resorted to outright bribery in a desperate attempt to buy the election.

But still, the latest poll shows the Democratic-favored candidate Susan Crawford in a tight race but leading her Trump and Musk-backed opponent, Brad Schimel.

WHAT IT MEANS: Experts say a $20 million flop here could be a blueprint for how to pry power out of his hands—appealing to his presidential puppet.

• Because if there’s one thing Donald Trump hates, it’s a loser.

A defeat today in Wisconsin could add to a growing list of losses for Musk.

• Tesla has lost nearly half its value from an all-time high in December because of public outrage at “DOGE”—to say nothing of Tesla dealerships going up in flames.

Also, his personal approval rating has taken a nosedive in a mater of weeks.

As it turns out, slashing your way through the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security, and Medicare doesn’t make you a popular guy.

BIG PICTURE: There’s speculation Trump will dump Musk as a scapegoat against the rising backlash, especially as the midterms approach.

THE ANSWER: So one possible way to stop Elon Musk is to make him so toxic that Trump has to take this action.

• That means we’ve got to keep showing up, keep posting — the pressure’s working.

No one is immune from political gravity—even the world’s richest fascist.

👀 Under the Radar

Here are some stories the algorithm may have kept out of your feed.

• Trump’s promised ‘Liberation Day’ of tariffs is coming. Here’s what it could mean for you

• UN demands answers after Israel kills 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers one by one

• Why Netanyahu renewed his slaughter in Gaza

• A federal judge has again slowed down Trump’s immigration agenda

• Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser says she has only days left to live

• A landmark Luigi Mangione Act is on the ballot in this state

• Ana Navarro knows why Trump is really threatening third term

• The Media Bias chart is broken. We made a better one

• More than 1,900 scientists just issued a stark warning

• Trump is cutting down historic White House tree to use for 'higher purpose'

• How Democrats are screwing up on the Signal group chat leak

• Young adults are now taking “micro-retirements”

• Social Security changes: When do new requirements take effect? Here’s what to know

• Amazon spent $13 million last year to fight these

• Meet the 28-year-old goon Elon Musk installed at the U.S. Institute for Peace

• Comedian Amber Ruffin made a surprise appearance on Seth Myer’s show last night after being canned from the White House Correspondent’s Dinner

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We’ll be back Thursday morning. Questions or comments? Just reply to this e-mail.

Thank you for reading! - Andrew & Anthony