Good, bad, inexplicable
Corporate leaders and investors were hoping for a bit of volatility to accompany President Trump in his second term. In many ways, it's exactly what happened in a month, radical federal cuts, the threat of a trade war, and so on.
However, amid the gust of unexpected announcements, Ukraine Peace Plan to rule out Kiev, retain strict Biden-era trading guidelines, potential Elon Mask response stimulus plan for a potential Elon Mask response stimulus plan for starters During discussions about the issue, many executives are asking themselves about the lack of clearer than where Trump stands: how do you navigate this?
Trump did well with some of his campaign promises. He vowed to impose tariffs to strengthen American production. He is fighting a war on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, with more and more companies lined up.
And most notably, he unleashes his men and musks to destroy much of Washington's bureaucracy, with some courts refusing to get in the way. Latest: The IRS fired 6,700 workers the night before tax file season. Trump argued for his power to freely dismiss administrative law judges. He is reportedly planning to take control of the US Post.
But there is a lot that business leaders and others are trying to understand.
Where is Trump actually standing on tariffs? He talks about a wide range of trade contracts with China, despite threatening Europe with huge taxes.
Trump's position on Ukraine is becoming increasingly unclear as he publicly accepts Russia and denies Kiev and Europe. According to the Wall Street Journal, Treasury Secretary Scott Becent has allegedly put pressure on Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky to hand over billions of Ukrainian mineral resources, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington told European leaders that Washington was not trying to destroy it. Diplomatic status quo.
Anti-trust police officers in the administration have maintained Biden-era merger rules and attenuated their desire to revive the deal. And despite efforts by tech companies like Meta to develop close ties with Trump, the new Federal Trade Commission chief is considering tech scrutiny greater than censorship concerns.
Trump's efforts to gain more control over independent institutions could potentially reach the Fed as MUSK vaguely promises central bank audits.
The president of potentially inflation taxpayer payments funded by Musk's government's cost cuts is floating (the true range appears to change frequently) has garnered lukewarm support from Republicans in Congress. There is.
Trump's legislative agenda is in scope, with the president dividing Republican lawmakers on issues like the budget.
For now, Corporate America seems to be together for rides. A new survey by the conference committee found CEO confidence peaked in the last three years, reflecting “confident optimism.”
Whether that will last – Americans seem increasingly worried about rising inflation and musk costs reductions – we don't know yet. stay tuned.
This is what's going on
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has earned a partial reprieve. Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would not take him in office for now, but accused the Justice Department of Justice had cut deals with the Trump administration that led to him dropping corruption charges He said he would try to limit his strength. In other political news, former Senate Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell, said he would not seek re-election next year.
The Japanese group reportedly courts Tesla to invest in Nissan. Conditioning is led by former Tesla board member Hiro Mizuno. Hiro Mizuno sees Elon Musk's company as a potential partner in supporting Japanese car manufacturers struggling after merger talks with Honda, Financial Times reports. Tesla is believed to be eager to seek Nissan's car factory in the United States.
Senator Elizabeth Warren urges the Department of Justice to investigate Disney-Fubo's deal. Massachusetts Democrats argue Disney's bid to curb control over streaming services could harm “significant” antitrust concerns to consumers, Variety reports . In other media deals, ESPN has ended its long-term media rights partnership with Major League Baseball.
Miami trading makers warmly to Trump and Saudi Arabia
This week's FII Priority Conference has done so much so far for Saudi Arabian hosts and business leaders who are passionate about seeing and hearing President Trump.
But Trump's speech, and his first month of office, also raised major questions.
Good thing: As a salesman, Trump has impressed trading makers with his eloquent ability – using his speech to rattle savings that he said he found through Elon Musk's cost-cutting efforts I've done it. And many pointed out that his arrival at the meeting was a clear signal that he wanted to make a deal. The crowd was “attractive,” as one executive in attendance said.
Not very good: Some executives admitted that volatility made it more difficult to make deals than expected. (Others said it was too early to judge.) I wondered why Trump focused on his speech on inviting foreign investment in the US, but he said, “Americans are in the US.” I took it for granted, “I'll invest.” The real concern that “drill baby drill” could be the wrong approach is worth noting at conferences hosted by Saudi Arabia.
Who appeared?
Oracle CEO Safra Catz made his first appearance at the meeting.
Venture capitalist Ben Horowitz was on the stage and declared that his company never rolled out a diversity, equity and inclusive program.
Ken Griffin of the Citadel, a main character in Miami, also spoke.
With Serena Williams and Lance Armstrong led, Athlete was the first time that, like WTA's Portia Archer, a professional women's tennis league has attended the event. Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.
One interesting spot where former CNN president Jeff Zucker and his old boss David Zaslav chat with each other near the pool at the conference's Final Hotel is speculated given the evolution of their friendship. Ensures that it will cause the (Dealbook said they simply came across each other.)
Who didn't show it – At first, Yasir al-Rumayan, governor of the Saudi Wealth Fund, was to make a statement on Wednesday, but had to serve as a jet in Washington. He was in the White House and was about to make progress in the much-anticipated deal between the LIV and the PGA Tour.
Al-Rumayyan went back in time to host a massive dinner at Queen Miami Beach, an intense nightclub-style Japanese restaurant. When he went into dinner, he told the dealbook that meeting with Trump was “good.”
Inside, there was plenty of sushi, steak and avocado caviar slices. The enormous screens featured images of some executives and large allies of Saudi investment funds. Ray Dario, Steve Schwartzman of Blackstone and Jared Kushner.
The presence of Saudi Arabia in Florida will soon be present throughout the year as the kingdom chose Miami as its second US investment hub.
Friday Agenda: Al Lumayan talks with Eric Schmidt. Investors and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen talk about the future of sports. And Uber's Dara Khosrowshahi discusses the future of autonomous transportation.
James Bond is alive… on Amazon
Jeff Bezos and Amazon finally have the right to make every James Bond movie they want.
The terms have not been made clear, but given the fierce dispute between Amazon and the Broccoli family, who controlled the intellectual property of bonds, it is definitely a big figure, according to Dealbook's Edmund Lee explains.
The move shows that Amazon is serious about turning major streaming ventures into authentic Hollywood businesses, and not just how to sell more. Bezos, an openly television and film fanatic, said in 2016:
Summary: Amazon spent $8.5 billion in 2022 to buy MGM Studios. The agreement was considered an expensive bet on a single property. James Bond has won more than $6 billion at the domestic box office after adjusting for inflation. By then, MGM had sold many film libraries and its vast studio lots, so retail giants effectively paid for the right to distribute Bond films.
However, there was a problem. The Broccoli family reportedly disliked Amazon's ideas on how to develop their next film, and the photos never actually fell off the ground. (Remember: Amazon had distribution rights rather than creative control.)
It's been more than three years since his last film, No Time To Die, became a hit in theaters, and it was beginning to see $8.5 billion. According to a December report in the Juicy Wall Street Journal, Barbara Broccoli, the terrifying producer who dominated the franchise, calls Amazon executives “idiot.”
What now? After a long wait, fans may eventually see a new Bond movie. Also look forward to the spinoff. Imagine a young M climbing the rank of Mi6. And what about all the other agents? Where is 005? 009? There are lots of three digit spy characters.
It's part of the streaming playbook. After purchasing your IP, pump out as many movies and shows as possible to keep subscribers glued to the service. Paramount+ does this with “Star Trek” and Disney+ has so many “Star Wars” spinoffs. Amazon Prime created the prequel to “The Lord of the Rings,” paying more than $700 million in its first season alone. Critical responses are mixed.
Bezos is already looking for ideas as to who will play the next bond. Dealbook hopes at the end of his career, an aging bond reassessing all his missions.
Speed is read
transaction
Memestock investor Ryan Cohen has grown stakes in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba to around $1 billion. (WSJ)
Shares held in Celsius spiked in local trading after Energy Drinks Maker said he would buy rival Alani Nu in cash and shares for $1.8 billion. (Bloomberg)
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