What's Happening
Technology
Trump Rolls Out the AI Red Carpet
What's going on: Cue the Silicon Valley opening credits: The tech world officially touched down in DC for President Donald Trump’s invite-only “Winning the AI Race” summit. Hosted in part by David Sacks, Trump’s new AI and crypto czar, the guest list ranged from crypto bros to big names like OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Oracle’s Larry Ellison. At the center of yesterday’s event was the White House’s new “AI Action Plan,” which promises to fast-track data centers, cut red tape, and funnel federal contracts to firms touting “objective” models. Trump made things official by signing three executive orders on infrastructure and exports, while also taking aim at copyright rules and banning agencies from buying AI “infused with partisan bias.” He also proposed renaming AI to “genius” and referred to the industry as a baby, saying “we have to grow that baby and let that baby thrive.”
What it means: It’s a golden hour for tech execs who bet on Trump — and stood by him through some deeply awkward inauguration selfies. While Trump told the crowd that “once and for all, we are getting rid of woke” AI models, critics issued some warnings. They said Trump’s plan could reward companies that align with his definition of “neutral,” while sidelining others due to culture wars. Consumer advocates and tech ethicists fear the executive orders give the industry too much power to shape rules, while sidestepping concerns about jobs, kids, and misinformation. Trump’s push to dominate the global AI race also comes as the EU and other countries tighten regulations, raising the stakes over who gets to shape the future of AI.
Related: The FDA’s AI-Driven Drug Reviews Are Hallucinating Data (CNN)
Politics
The DNC Autopsy Avoids the Body
What's going on: The most revealing part of the Democrats’ 2024 election “autopsy” might be what they skip entirely. The New York Times reports that the review — billed as a way to align the Dems ahead of the midterms and beyond — will largely avoid unpacking the Biden-Harris campaign. Early briefings suggest it’ll sidestep questions on whether President Joe Biden should’ve dropped out earlier or if VP Kamala Harris should’ve taken the reins. Instead, the briefings suggest the report will lay much of the blame on the party’s main super PAC, Future Forward, for not going hard enough at Trump (though the PAC insists it did). As The Times put it, analyzing the election without dissecting the top of the ticket is “something like eating at a steakhouse and then reviewing the salad.” Not exactly a full postmortem.
Tell me more: One common post-election critique: Democrats put loyalty to leaders like Biden ahead of long-term party strategy. The review could be proof that they still haven’t learned their lesson. A blunt report was always going to be tricky territory — it would almost certainly mean pointing fingers at top party figures. And experts say self-reflection has never been easy for Dems. Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign skipped a formal postmortem altogether, while Republicans at least released one after 2012 (even if Trump ignored most of it and still won). That said, the GOP has its own blind spots — MAGA-aligned officials have yet to seriously reckon with the January 6 attack.
Related: Columbia University Settles With the Trump Administration for $200 Million (ABC News)
Business
This Batch of Meme Stocks Comes Glazed
What's going on: Reddit stock traders are back at it again. Yesterday, they sent GoPro shares soaring 56% and gave Krispy Kreme an 18% sugar rush — coordinating everything on the WallStreetBets forum. Beyond Meat got a taste of the action too: The plant-based meat company was up 10% at one point. Earlier this week, traders even rallied around Kohl’s — yes, that Kohl’s — and its shares nearly doubled in price. Why these companies? No one really knows. But they check the meme-stock boxes: cheap, underdog status, and unlikely to make big moves… until they do. Still, it’s a reminder that any company can become a Wall Street darling…if Reddit users say so.
What it means: Meme stocks come and go — often catching experts and Wall Street off guard (might be time to have an intern make a Reddit account). As one expert put it, these trading frenzies prove that “market psychology and crowd behavior can sometimes matter more than the numbers.” Some are worried that the return of the meme stocks is a sign that the stock market is peaking and could start falling soon. That doesn’t mean it’s time to bet your savings. Experts warn that if you jump in too late, you’re more likely to lose than win. Just ask anyone who bought OpenDoor Technologies shares last week. Meme traders loved it — until they didn’t. Its stock has dropped 21% since.
Related: Home Prices Are Also Rising, Pushing Homeownership Dreams Further Away (CNBC)
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends on August 3 (that’s next Sunday). The sale is notoriously competitive, but we’re happy to report that several of our favorite pieces are still available and ready for you to check out. Grab these while you still can:
Settle This
Instacart released its most-ordered ice cream flavors, and boy, the top three were pretty bland. Which one clocked in at number one?
(This poll is no longer available)
Extra Credit
Watch
Welcome to East Texas, where the tea is sweet but the secrets are deadly. Based on May Cobb’s bestselling novel, Netflix’s The Hunting Wives follows Sophie O’Neil (Brittany Snow), a Boston transplant trying to keep it together with her husband and son in a small Texas town. There she meets the magnetic Margo Banks (Malin Åkerman) and her crew of wealthy, hard-partying socialites. At first, it’s all fun and games — until a dead body shows up, loyalties unravel, and Sophie’s quiet life flips upside down.
For more recs...
Check out the Daily Skimm Weekend newsletter, in your inbox every Saturday and Sunday. We'll help you spend your leisure time well.
Game Time
Brick Breaker meets word search in Spelltower, your new favorite game. For every word you find, letter tiles disappear. The fewer tiles left when you run out of words, the better your score. Try it.
†Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age. Please read full Important Safety Information, including Distant Spread of Toxin Effect Boxed Warning, linked here.
‡Users = clinical trial subjects. Subject-reported at 12 months (N=120) after 2 treatments 6 months apart in a phase IV, multicenter, prospective study.
References:
1. Dysport prescribing information. Galderma Laboratories, LP; 2023.
2. Schlessinger J, Cohen JL, Shamban A, et al. A multicenter study to evaluate subject satisfaction with two treatments of AbobotulinumtoxinA a year in the glabellar lines. Dermotol Surg. 2021;47(4):504-509.
Important Safety Information
Indication: Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.
WARNING: DISTANT SPREAD OF TOXIN EFFECTS
What is the most important information you should know about Dysport? In some cases, the effects of Dysport and all botulinum toxin products may affect areas of the body away from the injection site. Symptoms can happen hours to weeks after injection and may include swallowing and breathing problems, loss of strength and muscle weakness all over the body, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice, trouble saying words clearly, or loss of bladder control. Swallowing and breathing problems can be life threatening and there have been reports of death. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre‐existing before injection. These effects could make it unsafe for you to drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Do not have Dysport treatment if you: are allergic to Dysport or any of its ingredients (see the end of the Medication Guide for a list of ingredients), are allergic to cow’s milk protein, had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), have a skin infection at the planned injection site, under 18 years of age, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The dose of Dysport is not the same as the dose of any other botulinum toxin product and cannot be compared to the dose of any other product you may have used.
Tell your doctor about any swallowing or breathing difficulties and all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis, or Lambert‐Eaton syndrome, which may increase the risk of serious side effects including difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. Serious allergic reactions have occurred with the use of Dysport. Dry eye has also been reported.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you have surgical changes to your face, very weak muscles in the treatment area, any abnormal facial change, injection site inflammation, droopy eyelids or sagging eyelid folds, deep facial scars, thick oily skin, wrinkles that can’t be smoothed by spreading them apart, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal and other natural products. Using Dysport with certain other medicines may cause serious side effects. Do not start any new medicines while taking Dysport without talking to your doctor first.
Especially tell your doctor if you: have received any other botulinum toxin product, such as Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB), Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA), or Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA), in the last four months or any in the past (be sure your doctor knows exactly which product you received), have recently received an antibiotic by injection, take muscle relaxants, take an allergy or cold medicine, or take a sleep medicine.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects include nose and throat irritation, injection site pain, upper respiratory infection, blood in urine, headache, injection site reaction, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus infection, and nausea.
Ask your doctor if Dysport is right for you.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‐800‐FDA‐1088.
Please see Dysport Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide at DysportUSA.com.
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.