NEWS AND OPINION:
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign now reports that, in the second quarter of fundraising this year, it raised a total of $331 million and bested the key numbers from President Biden.
“This beats the quarterly number of $264 million reported by Biden for the same period. After beating Biden in the months of April and May, the Trump team added another $111.8 million in June,” the campaign said in a statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
“More importantly, the Trump campaign ends June with a cash on hand advantage as Biden continues to burn through millions while still losing ground in national and battleground polling. Team Trump’s cash on hand at the end of June is $284.9 million compared to $240 million reported by Biden,” the statement said.
“President Trump’s campaign fundraising operation is thriving day after day and month after month. Winning this quarter brought us a cash on hand advantage, which is punctuated by a Biden burn rate that grows while yielding no tangible results for them,” Chris LaCivita and Susan Wiles — both advisors to Mr. Trump — said in a joint statement.
“Despite Biden spending nearly $120 million on TV, cable and radio alone, polling and voter enthusiasm continue to grow for President Trump. This fundraising momentum is likely to grow even more as we head into a world-class convention and see the Democrats continue their circular firing squad in the aftermath of Biden’s debate collapse,” they said.
LEAF BLOWER DRAMA
“In the latest example of the environmentalist cause going too far, the New Jersey State Senate has voted to move forward with a bill that would ban gas-powered leaf blowers within the next four years,” reports Richard Cordero, an analyst for the Competitive Enterprise Institute.
“The original version of the bill states that the use of gas-powered leaf blowers – staple products relied upon by contractors and consumers alike for affordable and accessible lawn care – emit high levels of pollutants. This, the bill alleges, may contribute to acid rain and smog formation. It also claims that noise pollution from the machines is capable of causing hearing loss and that they blow dust and particles during their use,” he wrote in an analysis released this week.
“New Jersey Senate Bill 217 would prohibit the sale of two stroke engine leaf blowers – by far the most common and affordable type of leaf blower – within two years of the bill’s passage and prohibit use of these leaf blowers within four years. In addition, the bill would ban the use and operation of four stroke engines in residential areas. For non-residential areas, their use would be limited to just four months of the year,” Mr. Cordero said.
“Although these limits are watered down from the blanket ban initially proposed, they represent a clear attack upon consumer freedom and place a new burden on both businesses and the general public,” he noted.
“New Jersey’s proposed ban follows in the footsteps of other states and localities that have attempted to limit consumer choice. California banned the sale of all gas-powered leaf blowers as of January 1st, 2024, while many cities throughout the nation, including the District of Columbia, have passed local ordinances to prevent their use,” he said.
Find the Competitive Enterprise Institute at CEI.org.
ON THE LOOKOUT
“In just 24 hours, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Louisville, KY seized three shipments containing a total of 2,387 pieces of jewelry including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings bearing designer trademarks. The items were deemed to be inauthentic by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, and if genuine, would have had a combined Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of over $10.08 million,” the CBP said in a written report released Wednesday.
Among the many famous brand names that appeared on the fake jewelry: Rolex, Hermes, Tiffany and Co., Van Cleef and Arpels, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Dior and Versace.
This action took place on Monday and Tuesday and the shipments originated in China, according to the report.
“In FY23, CBP seized 19,522 shipments with intellectual property rights (IPR) violations for a total of nearly 23 million counterfeit items. If the seized products were genuine, their total MSRP would be valued at $2.4 billion,” the agency noted.
“All items were seized pursuant to CBP’s intellectual property enforcement authorities, and were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis,” the report said.
In 2015, CBP processed 139 million of these types of transactions. By 2023, the number had increased to more than 1 billion, representing a 662% growth in eight years, the agency also said.
Find them at CBP.gov.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: Stately neoclassic brick mansion built in 1939 on one acre in Macon, Georgia — situated in the historic Vineville district. Four bedrooms, three baths, grand foyer with curved staircase and center rotunda, formal living and dining rooms, oversized den, original woodworking, archways and floors; 4,296 square feet. Original floor to ceiling windows, chef’s kitchen and second kitchen on lower level; property includes covered brick patio with extensive landscaping and stately magnolia trees, two-car garage. Priced at $625,000 through fickling.com. Click on the residential sales section and enter 243750 in the search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 42% of U.S. adults plan to vote for former President Donald Trump in the presidential election in November.
• 90% of Republicans, 35% of independents and 2% of Democrats agree. 48% of men and 37% of women also agree.
• 40% overall plan to vote for President Biden.
• 2% of Republicans, 27% of independents and 86% of Democrats agree. 38% of men and 42% of women also agree.
• 5% overall plan to vote for Robert F. Kennedy.
• 3% of Republicans. 10% of independents and 3% of Democrats agree. 4% of men and 5% of women also agree.
• 13% overall are not sure who to vote for, will vote for someone else, or don’t plan to vote.
• 5% of Republicans, 28% of independents and 9% of Democrats agree. 10% of men and 16% of women also agree.
SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,608 registered U.S. voters conducted online June 30-July 22.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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