<ul>
<li>A Bubblemaps report has suggested that the Official Melania Meme team is kicking holders while they are down.</li>



<li>The recent report has put the spotlight back on MELANIA and LIBRA architect Hayden Davis.</li>



<li>Bubblemaps has warned that more pain may be coming for MELANIA token holders at the hands of insiders.</li>
</ul>



From ethical to tokenomics concerns, Official Melania Meme, the Solana memecoin backed by first lady Melania Trump, just like OFFICIAL TRUMP, the Solana memecoin launched by President Donald Trump, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43078040/trump-coin-tanks-36-even-as-melania-trump-launches-her-own-token-top-analyst-says-his-short-is-going-very-very-well">raised several red flags when it launched</a>.



Fast-forward months and these concerns have been more or less validated as the coin trades 96% below its all-time high, and insiders continue to dump on holders.



Don't Miss:



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<li>‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.</a></li>



<li>Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl"> this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a></li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MELANIA Team Quietly Cashing Out Millions In Community Funds</h2>



The Official Melania Meme team is kicking token holders while they are down.



On Monday, blockchain data provider Bubblemaps <a href="https://x.com/bubblemaps/status/1909304949160165530?t=y7xJ1NYwkRsCQ5gTNeMYZQ&amp;s=19">reported</a> that the token with the ticker MELANIA was facing &#8220;huge sell-offs&#8221; as the team behind the project quietly siphoned millions from the community fund.



Crypto projects typically set aside community funds for everything from ecosystem development to community incentivization programs. But Bubblemaps suggests that members of the MELANIA team appear to be using the project&#8217;s community fund as a personal piggy bank.



According to the blockchain data provider, MELANIA team members have moved 50 million tokens worth approximately $30 million from the project&#8217;s community fund. Splitting the tokens across multiple addresses, $3 million worth of tokens have made it to exchanges, with $500,000 worth of tokens confirmed sold.



Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/arrived-private-credit-fund">7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it</a>?



Just over a week ago, Bubblemaps <a href="https://x.com/bubblemaps/status/1905600617612968258?t=uF3QmVxO3TMSYYtw7czfkw&amp;s=19">highlighted</a> a $2 million extraction from MELANIA&#8217;s liquidity pools, with $1 million sent to exchanges. In this instance, the firm squarely pointed the finger at Hayden Davis.



Davis is widely seen as the mastermind behind MELANIA and the Argentine President Javier Milei-backed LIBRA token. According to Bubblemaps, wallets tied to Davis moved $1 million worth of MELANIA tokens via single-sided liquidity, the same tactic he infamously used <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43839293/entitied-tied-to-libra-token-creator-reportedly-removed-99-million-in-liquiditytraders-lost-over-250-million-in-scam">to extract $100 million in liquidity from LIBRA</a>.



&#8220;Hayden may have seen the recent drop in attention as a window to quietly move funds while fewer people were watching,&#8221; the blockchain data provider wrote at the time.



Davis&#8217; involvement with LIBRA has put him under significant scrutiny, with one Argentine lawyer <a href="https://in.benzinga.com/news/global/25/03/44296984/libra-token-fallout-argentine-lawyer-demands-extradition-of-project-creator-from-us">seeking an Interpol red notice</a> for the controversial crypto entrepreneur&#8217;s arrest and extradition.



The recent MELANIA sales are concerning, as Bubblemaps highlights that wallets tied to the team control 92% of the token supply.



&#8220;The damage isn&#8217;t done yet,&#8221; the firm warned.



See Also: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/masterworks">One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.</a>



Unsurprisingly, the recent report of Illicit MELANIA token sales has sparked mixed reactions. While some appear unsurprised, others have gone as far as asking that the first lady be made to answer for her role in the grift.



<a href="https://twitter.com/jynxbt/status/1909465356906693031?t=76s9LSSGVaaxuT_rmWc8XA&amp;s=19">https://twitter.com/jynxbt/status/1909465356906693031?t=76s9LSSGVaaxuT_rmWc8XA&amp;s=19</a>



Despite the many concerns, MELANIA still appears to have several thousand holders. Specifically, data from Solana blockchain explorer Solscan <a href="https://solscan.io/token/FUAfBo2jgks6gB4Z4LfZkqSZgzNucisEHqnNebaRxM1P">shows</a> that the token has over 245,000 holders.



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<li>Have $200K saved?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/have-200k-saved-heres-how-to-turn-it-into-lasting-wealth"> Here's how to turn it into lasting wealth</a></li>



<li>Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share!</a></li>
</ul>

Personal Finance

Melania Trump's Memecoin Sees Huge Sell-Offs As Team Quietly Cashes Out Millions In Community Funds

Rudy Giuliani has expressed dissatisfaction with the FBI and the Justice Department even under President Donald Trump.



What Happened: The former New York mayor and Trump attorney voiced his discontent with certain decisions made by FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi. He expressed frustration over his unheeded attempts to seek explanations. This comes as a surprise, considering the changes implemented during the Trump administration.



In a dialogue with conservative commentator Eric Bolling on X, Giuliani said, &#8220;I want to know why. They say there&#8217;s an explanation for it. It better be damn good.&#8221; The conversation was initiated by Bolling, referring to a civil case where Giuliani was accused of defaming two election workers from Georgia.



Giuliani also expressed his displeasure with the treatment of his associates Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. He questioned the FBI&#8217;s decision to appoint a person who had previously targeted Catholics and J6 people in the Justice Department to head the FBI&#8217;s Washington office.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">A few great minutes with AMERICA's Mayor <a href="https://twitter.com/RudyGiuliani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RudyGiuliani</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZkokBjmVFN">pic.twitter.com/ZkokBjmVFN</a>&mdash; &#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; ERIC BOLLING &#x1f1fa;&#x1f1f8; (@ericbolling) <a href="https://twitter.com/ericbolling/status/1910826542919188499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



When asked about his opinion on the performance of Bondi and Patel, Giuliani responded, &#8220;I, up until now, I was over the top enthusiastic, particularly by the Justice Department. So I&#8217;m going to assume there&#8217;s a reason for this that I don&#8217;t know.&#8221;



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43902918/elon-musk-demands-federal-workers-justify-their-jobs-fbis-kash-patel-tells-employees-not-to-respond">Elon Musk Demands Federal Workers Justify Their Jobs — FBI&#8217;s Kash Patel Tells Employees Not To Respond</a>



&#8220;And I'm very upset now because Kash Patel and Pam Bondi have taken one of the people that was running the unit going after Catholics in the Justice Department, and also going after J6 people, and put them in charge of the Washington office of the FBI,&#8221; he added. 



Why It Matters: Giuliani&#8217;s criticism of the FBI and Justice Department, despite the changes under the Trump administration, raises questions about the effectiveness of these changes. His dissatisfaction with the treatment of his friends and the personnel decisions made by Patel and Bondi could potentially shed light on internal conflicts within these institutions. 



This development could have implications for the public&#8217;s perception of the FBI and Justice Department, and their ability to effectively carry out their mandates.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44211240/warren-buffett-on-debt-and-donald-trumps-money-moves-trump-never-went-right">Warren Buffett on Debt and Donald Trump&#8217;s Money Moves: Trump &#8216;Never Went Right</a>



Shutterstock: Matt Smith Photographer

News

Politics

Giuliani Criticizes Trump's DOJ and FBI: 'I'm Very Upset Right Now'

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>). From a significant stock nosedive to urgent logistics operations, the tech giant has been in the spotlight for various reasons. The escalating U.S.-China tensions and the resulting tariffs have created a sense of panic among investors and consumers alike. Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories that shaped Apple&#8217;s tumultuous week.



Apple Stock Nosedives Amid U.S.-China Tensions



According to Gene Munster, Managing Partner at Deepwater Asset Management, Apple investors have &#8220;slid into panic mode&#8221; as the company&#8217;s shares have plummeted 23% since April 2. Munster warned that the situation could worsen due to the escalating U.S.-China tensions. &#8220;It's going to get ugly with China over the next month, which will intensify the panic,&#8221; he wrote.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44706519/apple-stock-nosediving-since-liberation-day-tariffs-has-created-panic-says-gene-munster-predicts-tim-cooks-favorable-relationship-with-trump-xi-jinping-will-rescue-iphone-maker">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Airlifts iPhones to Beat Trump&#8217;s Tariffs



In late March, Apple reportedly completed an urgent logistics operation, airlifting five planeloads of iPhones and other products from manufacturing centers in India and China to the U.S. within 72 hours. This move was in response to President Donald Trump's new 10% reciprocal tariff on imports that took effect on April 5.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44706383/apple-airlifts-iphones-from-india-and-china-in-72-hour-race-to-beat-trumps-tariffs-as-stock-sinks-amid-us-china-trade-panic">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44777482/trump-tariff-wars-chinas-new-rule-to-exempt-nvidia-qualcomm-and-others-from-levies-but-these-chip-compani" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Tariff Wars: China&#8217;s New Rule To Exempt Nvidia, Qualcomm And Others From Levies, But These Chip Companies Will Be Hit With 125% Tariffs</a>



Apple Customers Rush to Stores Amid Tariff Threats



Following the announcement of higher tariffs on Chinese goods, including a 25% levy on electronics, U.S. consumers reportedly rushed to Apple stores to purchase new iPhones ahead of potential price hikes.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44679666/apple-customers-flock-to-stores-as-tariffs-threaten-to-drive-iphone-prices-up-by-45-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Plans More iPhone Production in India



To mitigate the financial impact of escalating tariffs on Chinese goods, Apple is reportedly shifting more of its iPhone production to India. This move could potentially offset the projected 30% to 40% price increase on its device.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44677880/apple-reportedly-plans-to-move-more-iphone-production-to-india-amid-trump-tariff-fearscould-this-solve-the-300-price-hike-on-550-hardware">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple Analyst Slashes Price Forecast



Despite the lower tariff risk, Jefferies analyst Edison Lee downgraded Apple&#8217;s price target from $202.33 to $167.88 on Wednesday due to weak iPhone demand and AI revenue. However, he upgraded the company from Underperform to Hold.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/upgrades/25/04/44751387/apple-analyst-slashes-price-forecast-on-weak-iphone-demand-ai-revenue-despite-less-tariff-risk">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44728787/tesla-to-make-saudi-arabia-debut-amid-infrastructure-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla Starts Selling In Saudi Arabia Amid Declining Sales In Europe: Charging Network, Low Demand Could Be A Concern</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Tech

AAPL

Apple's Stock Market Woes, Airlifting iPhones To Beat Tariffs, Moving Production To India, And More: This Week In Appleverse

The past week in the world of cryptocurrency was nothing short of eventful. The market saw significant fluctuations, largely influenced by President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff announcements. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) soared to new heights, only to tumble shortly after. Meanwhile, Ripple (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/xrp/usd">XRP</a>) made headlines with a bold acquisition and a promising forecast.



Here&#8217;s a recap of the top stories.



Bitcoin Soars Amid Tariff Announcements



Bitcoin reached a staggering $82,000 this week, following a short squeeze that liquidated $75 million in bearish bets within an hour. This surge came after President Trump announced a 125% tariff on China while pausing reciprocal tariffs on 75 other countries for 90 days.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44720127/bitcoin-hits-82000-as-president-trump-announces-90-day-pause-on-reciprocal-tariffs-for-all-countries-but-china">Read the full article here.</a>



Crypto Market Cap Drops Following Tariff Announcement



Following President Trump&#8217;s sweeping tariff announcement, the cryptocurrency market cap dropped 2.80% in 24 hours to $2.54 trillion. This came after Trump imposed a 145% duty on Chinese imports and a 10% universal tariff on most other goods.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44754189/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-tumble-as-trump-ups-china-tariffs-scraps-irs-rule-in-nod-to-crypto-voters-rising-yuan-could-boost-altcoins-says-analyst">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44772891/bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-dogecoin-rally-and-could-be-in-for-a-very-fun-weekend-if-one-key-level-flips" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Rally And &#8216;Could Be In For A Very Fun Weekend&#8217; If One Key Level Flips</a>



XRP To Overtake Ethereum By 2028, Predicts Standard Chartered



Standard Chartered has forecasted that XRP&#8217;s market capitalization will surpass Ethereum&#8217;s by the end of 2028. This bold prediction was made by Geoffrey Kendrick, head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered, who highlighted XRP&#8217;s growing role in cross-border payments.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44683138/xrp-will-overtake-ethereum-by-2028-standard-chartered">Read the full article here.</a>



Ripple Acquires Prime Broker Hidden Road



Ripple, the blockchain firm behind XRP, has agreed to acquire prime brokerage firm Hidden Road in a deal valued at $1.25 billion. This acquisition marks Ripple&#8217;s most significant move yet to expand its offerings for institutional clients, according to CEO Brad Garlinghouse.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44692019/ripple-acquires-prime-broker-hidden-road-for-1-25-billion">Read the full article here.</a>



Bitcoin May Decouple From Stocks Amid Tariff-Fueled Recession



Bitcoin may have become increasingly correlated with stocks amid escalating trade war concerns, but one analyst predicts a deteriorating economic environment will eventually decouple the apex cryptocurrency from the risk-on sector. Michael Terpin, CEO of Transform Ventures, believes the ongoing tariff wars could trigger a recession, disrupting supply chains and causing job losses.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44730016/bitcoin-will-decouple-with-stocks-in-case-of-a-tariff-fueled-recession-says-analyst-lower-interest-rates-and-massive-money-printing">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/11/42170334/bitcoin-investor-turns-daily-30-purchases-into-1-million-portfolio-in-7-years-10-months-and-12-days" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Investor Turns Daily $30 Purchases Into $1 Million Portfolio In 7 Years, 10 Months And 12 Days</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

Cryptocurrency

Markets

$BTC

$XRP

Bitcoin's Wild Ride, Ripple's Big Move, Tariff Plunge, And More: This Week In Crypto

The past week was a rollercoaster ride for the financial markets, with President Donald Trump&#8217;s trade decisions taking center stage. Wall Street saw a significant bounce back from session lows following Trump&#8217;s optimistic remarks about a potential China deal.



The President&#8217;s sudden pause on tariffs also led to a surge in yields, causing experts to point to bond market panic as a key factor. Amidst the turmoil, Goldman Sachs scrapped its recession call, marking a significant U-turn in the financial landscape.



Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



Trump&#8217;s Optimism Boosts Wall Street



Wall Street managed to trim steep losses in afternoon trading on Thursday, following President Donald Trump&#8217;s optimistic remarks about reaching trade agreements, particularly with China. &#8220;Would love to be able to work a deal with China,&#8221; Trump told reporters at the White House. &#8220;I think we will end up working out something good for both nations."



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44748635/stocks-bounce-off-session-lows-after-trump-says-china-deal-is-going-to-work-out">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump Pauses Tariffs, Yields Surge&nbsp;



President Donald Trump&#8217;s decision to pause tariffs hours after they went into effect led to a surge in yields. Experts are attributing the bond market turmoil as the major contributor to this decision. After the 10-year Treasury yields rose 34 bps from below 4.0% last week to nearly 4.34% on Wednesday, Trump&#8217;s pausing of tariffs is being linked to the spike in yields.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44729384/trump-pauses-tariffs-after-yields-surge-bond-vigilantes-hit-another-homerun-experts-point-to-bond-market-panic-for-reversal">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44726856/obama-era-economist-jason-furman-says-trump-tariffs-now-higher-more-inflationary-than-announced-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Obama-Era Economist Jason Furman Says Trump Tariffs &#8216;Now Higher &amp; More Inflationary&#8217; Than Announced: Raising China Levies Outweighs 90-Day Delay On Others</a>



Goldman Sachs Withdraws Recession Call



In a surprising move, Goldman Sachs has officially withdrawn its call for an outright U.S. recession. This decision came just hours before President Donald Trump stunned markets with a surprise announcement of a 90-day tariff pause for countries that have not retaliated against U.S. trade measures.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44723376/goldman-sachs-scraps-recession-call-after-trumps-surprise-tariff-pause-as-wall-street-marks-strongest-day-since-2008">Read the full article here.</a>



Bill Ackman Criticizes Commerce Secretary&nbsp;



Billionaire Investor Bill Ackman has criticized Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for being "indifferent" toward the stock market selloff induced by the introduction of tariffs. Ackman accused Lutnick of having a conflict of interest due to Cantor Fitzgerald LP's exposure to bond investors.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44662730/bill-ackman-slams-commerce-secretary-lutnick-for-ignoring-stock-market-crash-he-and-cantor-are-long-bonds">Read the full article here.</a>



Cathie Wood Highlights Liquidity Issues



Following a jump in the U.S. Treasury yields, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) swap spreads have widened, signaling a "serious liquidity" issue, according to Ark Invest's Cathie Wood. Experts believe that only the government and the Federal Reserve's intervention would be able to contain this crisis.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44705659/cathie-wood-points-to-serious-liquidity-issues-as-overnight-borrowing-rate-spreads-widen-on-spiking-treasury-yields-this-crisis-is-calling-out-for-some-kind-of-mar-a-lago-accord">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44777263/ray-dalio-who-predicted-the-2008-financial-crisis-warns-about-recession-as-us-china-tariff-war-escalates" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ray Dalio, Who Predicted The 2008 Financial Crisis, Warns About Recession As US-China Tariff War Escalates</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

Economics

Trump's Tariff Pause Stirs Markets, Goldman Sachs Reverses Recession Call, And More: This Week In Economy

President Donald Trump's aggressive trade tariffs extend beyond Wall Street, rattling the Treasury market and the U.S. dollar. The turmoil is now challenging the long-held narrative of &#8220;American exceptionalism&#8221; that has underpinned global confidence in the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44710975/wall-streets-american-exceptionalism-trade-falters-as-dollar-stocks-bonds-all-slide">U.S. economy for decades.</a>



A broad trade-weighted measure of the dollar fell Friday to its lowest level since April 2022. The greenback is now down 10% since Trump's inauguration, raising concerns about its global reserve status.



Although recent March inflation reports showed cooling price pressures across both consumer and producer markets, bond markets didn't react <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44762609/producer-inflation-sharply-drops-yet-treasury-yields-rise-heres-why-a-fed-rate-cut-in-may-could-be-back-on-the-table">with the usual optimism.</a>



Long-dated Treasury yields climbed steadily all week, with the 10-year yield breaking past 4.50%  — a level not seen since February. The 30-year yield briefly hit 5%, signaling that bond vigilantes —investors who dump bonds in protest of policy mistakes — have returned.



Amid widespread selling of U.S. Treasury bonds and the dollar, gold reaffirmed its role as a haven, surging to a new all-time high above $3,200 per ounce.



On Wednesday, stocks skyrocketed after the Trump administration announced a 90-day suspension of tariffs for most trade partners — China being the notable exception, with levies surging to 145%. The move triggered the biggest one-day rally on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44720903/nasdaq-100-eyes-strongest-day-since-2008-as-magnificent-seven-add-15-trillion-in-historic-market-rally">Wall Street since 2008.</a>



Still, that positive momentum faded quickly. By the week's end, investor sentiment was once again clouded by uncertainty. The White House remains committed to its hardline tariff policy against China, even as Beijing retaliated with counter-tariffs on U.S. goods that now <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44756353/xi-jinping-says-there-are-no-winners-in-tariff-war-as-china-slaps-125-tariffs-on-us-goods-urges-trump-to-immediately-correct-wrongdoings">reach as high as 125%.</a>



Meanwhile, first-quarter earnings reports from banking giants including JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) and Wells Fargo Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) delivered encouraging numbers. Yet, investors remain cautious as the true impact of tariffs likely won't be visible until the second-quarter results.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44760533/jpmorgan-kicks-off-earnings-season-strong-investment-banking-wealth-management-lead-revenue-surge">&#8220;The economy is facing considerable turbulence,"</a> JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said.



More troubling are signs from Main Street. American consumers are growing increasingly pessimistic.



The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/44764554/consumer-sentiment-crashes-to-3-year-lows-as-inflation-expectations-spike-to-1981-highs">University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment</a> index for April plunged to its lowest level since mid-2022. Expectations for inflation jumped sharply: one-year outlooks soared to 6.7%, the highest since 1981, while five-year expectations climbed to 4.4%, the highest since 1990.



Now Read:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/04/44770031/will-a-fed-pivot-rekindle-the-bitcoin-bull-run-if-yes-expect-a-shift-in-institutional-sentiment-experts-say">Will A Fed Pivot Rekindle The Bitcoin Bull Run? If Yes, Expect A &#8216;Shift In Institutional Sentiment,&#8217; Experts Say</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Equities

Government

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Regulations

Bonds

Treasuries

Econ #s

Wall Street Panic Extends To Main Street As US-China Trade War Escalates, Bond Vigilantes Make A Comeback: This Week In Markets

The past week was a whirlwind of news in the business world, with major developments from Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOG#NYSE">HOG</a>), and Volkswagen AG (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VWAGY#OTC">VWAGY</a>). From Elon Musk&#8217;s stern warning to Tesla&#8217;s attackers to Harley-Davidson&#8217;s boardroom turmoil, there was no shortage of headlines. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories.



Musk Warns Tesla Attackers



Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to social media platform X to address the recent wave of vandalism targeted at Tesla properties, cars, and superchargers across the U.S. &#8220;Those who financed the attacks against Tesla will go to prison,&#8221; Musk stated.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44706944/elon-musk-warns-those-who-financed-tesla-attacks-will-go-to-prison">Read the full article here.</a>



Harley-Davidson Boardroom Drama



A director representing Harley-Davidson&#8217;s significant shareholder has resigned from the company&#8217;s board, leveling serious accusations against CEO Jochen Zeitz and other leaders amid ongoing financial challenges for the motorcycle manufacturer.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44727511/harley-davidson-boardroom-turmoil-director-resigns-demands-ceo-jochen-zeitz-step-down-over-cultural-depletion-and-brand-decline">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44729157/michigan-auto-groups-criticize-trump-for-not-halting-auto-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan Auto Groups Criticize Donald Trump For Not Halting Auto Tariffs, Say Employees And Supply Chain Will Continue To Endure Uncertainty</a>



Tesla Unveils New Cybertruck Trim



Tesla has introduced a new trim for its Cybertruck. The new trim is RWD (rear-wheel drive) and offers a range of over 362 miles on a single charge. The Cybertruck Long Range RWD is retailing in the U.S. for $69,990 and $62,490 with the federal EV credit.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44755221/tesla-unveils-new-cybertruck-long-range-trim-with-a-362-mile-range-and-reduced-features">Read the full article here.</a>



US EV Sales Rise



The sales figures for Q1 2025 for EVs showcase a growth in U.S. EV sales for several manufacturers. According to a report by Cox Automotive, EV sales in the US have grown by over 10% year-on-year, with over 294,250 EVs sold in Q1 2025.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44755934/us-q1-ev-sales-data-shows-106-yoy-growth-tesla-experiences-decline-but-still-dominates-domestic-ev-sales">Read the full article here.</a>



Volkswagen&#8217;s EV Boom In Europe



Volkswagen witnessed a robust uptick in its electric vehicle (EV) business across Europe during the first quarter of 2025. The company delivered 939,800 vehicles across Europe between January and March, marking a 3.7% year-over-year growth.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44733931/volkswagen-sees-ev-boom-in-europe-while-audi-battles-recall-woes-amid-tariff-turbulence">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44738776/versace-goes-prada-capris-big-exit-sparks-fashion-power-shift" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Versace Goes Prada: Capri&#8217;s Big Exit Sparks Fashion Power Shift</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/ananya-gairola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ananya Gairola</a>

TSLA

VWAGY

Musk's Warning, Harley-Davidson's Boardroom Drama, Tesla's New Trim, EV Sales Surge, And More: This Week In Mobility

As the week winds down, the air is thick with the buzz of political discourse. The hot topic? President Donald Trump&#8217;s controversial tariff policies. From the former White House communications director to the former Vice President, key figures have voiced their concerns and predictions. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the weekend&#8217;s top stories.



Scaramucci&#8217;s Predictions



Former White House communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, has suggested that nations will retaliate against the U.S. in response to President Donald Trump&#8217;s contentious tariff impositions. According to Scaramucci, countries like China are banking on the U.S. to rein in Trump until they can &#8216;break&#8217; him. He further proposed that nations should counter the U.S. by levying their own tariffs, thereby nudging Trump's allies towards the Democratic Party.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/44778667/scaramucci-foresees-global-retaliation-against-trumps-trade-policies-it-will-break-him">Read the full article here.</a>



Pence&#8217;s Concerns



Former Vice President Mike Pence expressed concerns that President Donald Trump&#8217;s sweeping tariffs could become a political flashpoint for Republicans in the midterm elections. Despite praising other early decisions in Trump&#8217;s second term, Pence labelled the tariff policy &#8220;a misstep&#8221;. He warned that if left as it is, the strategies would amount to &#8220;the largest peacetime tax hike in American history.&#8221;



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44728777/pence-calls-trumps-tariff-moves-misstep-cites-potential-economic-harm-to-working-families">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/44757196/bernie-sanders-warns-the-job-you-have-today-aint-going-to-be-here-in-10-or-15-years-as-ai-and-robotics-threaten-us-workforce" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bernie Sanders Warns: &#8216;The Job You Have Today Ain&#8217;t Going To Be Here In 10 Or 15 Years,&#8217; As AI And Robotics Threaten US Workforce</a>



RFK Jr&#8217;s Health Query



Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation's top health official, questioned whether society should bear the cost of healthcare for individuals who engage in unhealthy habits, such as smoking or consuming doughnuts. In an interview with CBS News, Kennedy asked, &#8220;If you&#8217;re smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, should you expect society to pay when you get sick?&#8221;



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44777309/rfk-jr-asks-if-public-funded-healthcare-should-be-accessible-to-people-smoking-three-packs-a-day">Read the full article here.</a>



Automotive Tariffs



A new report published by Michigan-based Center for Automotive Research highlights how the Trump administration&#8217;s 25% tariffs on the auto sector could cost the industry over $108 billion. This comes after President Donald Trump refused to implement a halt on the 25% Tariffs on the automotive sector, much to the criticism of stakeholders in the automotive industry as well as policymakers.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44756759/new-research-shows-donald-trumps-25-tariffs-could-cost-auto-companies-108billion-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Insider Trading Allegations



Key Democratic lawmakers, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), are demanding investigations into potential insider trading related to President Donald Trump‘s market communications before he announced a 90-day tariff pause that triggered Wall Street's strongest rally since 2008.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44728524/adam-schiff-and-elizabeth-warren-call-for-investigation-into-possible-insider-trading-by-trump-allies-as-markets-surge-after-90-day-tariff-pause-it-sure-looks-like-corruption">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44777274/kevin-oleary-says-xi-jinping-is-playing-with-fire-if-this-gamble-doesnt-pay-off">Kevin O&#8217;Leary Says Xi Jinping Is &#8216;Playing With Fire:&#8217; &#8216;If This Gamble Doesn&#8217;t Pay Off…&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Trump's Tariffs Stir Controversy, RFK Jr Asks If Taxpayers Should Fund Unhealthy Habits, And More: This Week In Politics

President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;announcement that he will place a 90-day pause on tariffs for countries that have not retaliated against U.S. trade measures. Markets rose on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/04/44725578/technology-stocks-outperform-after-trumps-tariff-pause-microchip-technology-amd-lead-sector-higher" rel="noreferrer noopener">news, driven&nbsp;higher by tech stocks</a>.&nbsp;



U.S. President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;has been on the receiving end of criticism from Michigan auto and business groups as tariffs on<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44729157/michigan-auto-groups-criticize-trump-for-not-halting-auto-tariffs" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;automotive imports&nbsp;remain in effect</a>.



The U.S. and Vietnam have launched trade negotiations after President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;paused the implementation of a&nbsp;46% tariff on Vietnam's exports, a move that could bolster the country's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44726879/vietnam-a-hub-for-us-tech-giants-like-apple-and-nvidia-wants-to-talk-trade-after-trump-pauses-46-tariff" rel="noreferrer noopener">growing tech manufacturing sector</a>.



The European Union and China have agreed to explore setting minimum prices for Chinese-made electric vehicles as an alternative to tariffs imposed last year, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44756940/europe-china-eye-ev-price-pact-to-avert-trump-tariff-escalation-after-tesla-ceo-elon-musk-pushes-for-zero-eu-tariffs-amid-declining-sales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a European Commission spokesperson</a>.



The sales figures for Q1 2025 for EVs showcase a growth in U.S. EV sales for several manufacturers and paint a strong picture <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44755934/us-q1-ev-sales-data-shows-106-yoy-growth-tesla-experiences-decline-but-still-dominates-domestic-ev-sales" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">for the domestic EV sector</a>.



Technology



European Commission president&nbsp;Ursula von der Leyen&nbsp;has said the EU is preparing a&nbsp;slate of retaliatory measures&nbsp;that could include levies on digital advertising <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44754753/meta-google-and-other-big-us-tech-firms-could-end-up-paying-up-if-trump-tariff-talks-collapse-warns-european-commission-president-no-winners-in-this-only-losers" rel="noreferrer noopener">revenues from U.S. tech companies</a>.



Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) has reportedly fired two employees who disrupted the tech giant&#8217;s 50th-anniversary event on Friday after protesting the company&#8217;s contracts with Israel and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44677497/microsoft-fires-employee-protestors-who-disrupted-50th-anniversary-event-you-have-shown-no-remorse-for-the-effect-that-your-actions-have" rel="noreferrer noopener">accusing its&nbsp;AI CEO of war profiteering</a>.



Microsoft has decided to suspend its billion-dollar data center project in Licking County, Ohio. ​This decision marks the most recent in a line of data center project <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44733013/microsoft-shelves-1-billion-ohio-data-center-plans-amid-global-project-withdrawals-we-are-slowing-or-pausing-some-early-stage-projects" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancellations by the software behemoth</a>.



Microsoft reportedly contemplating another wave of job cuts, primarily <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44729860/microsoft-stock-had-a-rough-ride-over-the-past-year-and-the-satya-nadella-led-company-is-now-mulling-more-job-cuts-this-time-focused-on-managers-and-non-coders" rel="noreferrer noopener">targeting middle managers and non-coders</a>.



Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) announced new restrictions for teen users, prohibiting those under 16 from live streaming on Instagram without parental permission, as the company expands its Teen <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/04/44704723/meta-restricts-live-streaming-for-teens-under-16-as-part-of-expanded-safety-measures" rel="noreferrer noopener">Account&nbsp;protections across its platforms</a>.



Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) reported first-quarter revenue growth of 41.6% year-on-year to&nbsp;839.25 billion<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44732800/taiwan-semiconductor-reports-255-billion-q1-revenue-surges-42-in-despite-us-tensions" rel="noreferrer noopener"> New Taiwan dollars ($25.5 billion)</a>.



Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) newly appointed CEO,&nbsp;Lip-Bu Tan, has deep financial ties to China&#8217;s tech sector, including investments in companies <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44755999/new-intel-ceo-lip-bu-tan-linked-to-hundreds-of-chinese-tech-firms-including-companies-tied-to-chinas-military-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly linked to the Chinese military</a>.



Smartphones



Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is reportedly shifting more of its&nbsp;iPhone&nbsp;production to India to mitigate the financial impact of President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;escalating tariffs on Chinese goods, potentially&nbsp;offsetting the projected 30% to 40% <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44677880/apple-reportedly-plans-to-move-more-iphone-production-to-india-amid-trump-tariff-fearscould-this-solve-the-300-price-hike-on-550-hardware" rel="noreferrer noopener">price&nbsp;increase on its device</a>.



U.S. consumers are reportedly rushing to&nbsp;Apple stores to purchase new&nbsp;iPhones&nbsp;ahead of potential price hikes caused by President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;newly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44679666/apple-customers-flock-to-stores-as-tariffs-threaten-to-drive-iphone-prices-up-by-45-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced tariffs on Chinese imports</a>.



Apple completed an urgent logistics operation in late March, transporting five planeloads of iPhones and other products from manufacturing centers in India and<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44706383/apple-airlifts-iphones-from-india-and-china-in-72-hour-race-to-beat-trumps-tariffs-as-stock-sinks-amid-us-china-trade-panic" rel="noreferrer noopener"> China to the U.S. within 72 hours</a>.



Automotive &amp; Social Media



Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)&nbsp;has unveiled a new trim for its Cybertruck. The new trim is RWD (rear-wheel drive) and offers a range of over 362 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44755221/tesla-unveils-new-cybertruck-long-range-trim-with-a-362-mile-range-and-reduced-features" rel="noreferrer noopener">miles on a single charge</a>.



Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) CEO&nbsp;Andy Jassy&nbsp;has warned that President&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8217;s&nbsp;new tariffs on Chinese imports could result in higher prices for consumers, as many of the company&#8217;s third-party sellers <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44754457/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-says-trump-tariff-costs-could-hit-consumers-as-sellers-pass-them-on-company-working-to-limit-price-hikes-amid-1771-ytd-stock-drop" rel="noreferrer noopener">are unlikely to absorb the additional costs</a>.



Amazon reportedly pulled back on importing a wide range of consumer goods from Asia, leaving vendors stuck with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44729831/amazon-halts-orders-worth-over-500000-from-china-vietnam-and-other-asian-countries-following-trumps-tariff-plans-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">unsold inventory and mounting costs</a>.



TikTok&nbsp;has reportedly laid off some of its U.S.-based e-commerce governance and experience team, just days after President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;extended the deadline&nbsp;for parent company&nbsp;ByteDance&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/04/44754260/with-tiktoks-future-in-limbo-e-commerce-team-reportedly-hit-by-layoffs-days-after-trumps-bytedance-deadline-push-amid-chinas-opposition-and-tariff-hikes" rel="noreferrer noopener">to divest its U.S. operations</a>.



Artificial Intelligence



OpenAI&nbsp;is reportedly in discussions to acquire the AI hardware startup co-founded by&nbsp;Jony Ive&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sam Altman&nbsp;in a deal <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44678864/openai-eyes-500-million-deal-to-acquire-jony-ive-and-sam-altmans-ai-hardware-startup-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">worth approximately $500 million</a>.



OpenAI&nbsp;countersued&nbsp;Elon Musk, accusing him of using harassment tactics to slow the company&#8217;s progress and disrupt its plans for growth, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44726544/elon-musk-faces-legal-backlash-as-sam-altman-led-openai-countersues-over-harassing-tactics-and-bid-for-control-musk-has-tried-every-tool-available-to-harm-openai" rel="noreferrer noopener">including a&nbsp;contentious bid&nbsp;for control</a>.



Mira Murati, the former chief technology officer of ChatGPT-parent OpenAI, is reportedly seeking to raise a staggering $2 billion seed round for her <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44756971/former-openai-cto-mira-murati-targets-record-breaking-2-billion-seed-round-for-new-ai-startup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new AI venture, </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44756971/former-openai-cto-mira-murati-targets-record-breaking-2-billion-seed-round-for-new-ai-startup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thinking Machines Lab</a>.



Image: Shutterstock

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INTC

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Consumer Tech News (April 7-April 11): US President Puts 90-Days Pause On Tariffs, Microsoft May Cut Jobs & More

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> many investors' favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.



President Donald Trump's hold on global tariffs but imposition of a 145% levy on Chinese imports led to significant market volatility and eroding confidence in the dollar and Treasuries this week. The 30-year Treasury yield briefly reached 5%, indicating the return of bond vigilantes — investors selling bonds in reaction to policy decisions.



Despite the turmoil, certain stocks have outperformed. For instance, Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Tesla (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) have shown resilience amid the market's fluctuations, demonstrating robust fundamentals and strategic positioning that appeal to investors even during uncertain times.



Overall, while the broader market faces challenges from escalating trade tensions and policy uncertainties, select companies continue to thrive, highlighting the importance of strategic agility and strong fundamentals in navigating volatile economic landscapes.



Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week's most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.



The Bulls



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/04/44696168/apple-is-a-buying-opportunity-again-as-key-valuation-level-flashes-green-bank-of-america-says">"Apple Is A ‘Buying Opportunity' Again As Key Valuation Level Flashes Green, Bank Of America Says"</a>, by Piero Cingari, reports that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) shares have dropped 17% since April 2, more than double the S&amp;P 500's decline in the same period, and Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan views this as a buying opportunity, citing historical data showing average gains of 17% one year after Apple's P/E ratio compresses under 25x.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/buybacks/25/04/44674899/broadcom-stock-jumps-on-10-billion-buyback-authorization">"Broadcom Stock Jumps On $10 Billion Buyback Authorization"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) shares rose after the company authorized a $10 billion share repurchase program through the end of 2025, reflecting confidence in its semiconductor and infrastructure software businesses.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44683383/marvell-plays-ai-hardball-divestiture-sparks-155-upside-says-analyst">"Marvell Plays AI Hardball: Divestiture Sparks 155% Upside, Says Analyst"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Marvell Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRVL#NASDAQ">MRVL</a>) sold its automotive Ethernet business to Infineon Technologies AG for $2.5 billion, prompting JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur to reaffirm an Overweight rating and set a $130 price target — implying a 155% upside — as the company intensifies its focus on AI and cloud data center growth.



For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44701164/aehr-test-systems-stock-climbs-after-q3-results-details">Aehr Test Systems Stock Climbs After Q3 Results: Details</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/04/44752313/health-care-technology-stocks-surge-after-fda-announces-plans-to-phase-out-animal-testing-requirements">Health Care Technology Stocks Surge After FDA Announces Plans To Phase Out Animal Testing Requirements</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/25/04/44725578/technology-stocks-outperform-after-trumps-tariff-pause-microchip-technology-amd-lead-sector-higher">Technology Stocks Outperform After Trump's Tariff Pause: Microchip Technology, AMD Lead Sector Higher</a>



The Bears



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44741043/nike-stock-tumbles-as-us-china-trade-war-intensifies-what-you-need-to-know">"Nike Stock Tumbles As US-China Trade War Intensifies: What You Need To Know"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that Nike Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) shares fell 10.3% to $53.18 amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, as the company's reliance on imports from China, Vietnam, and Indonesia exposes it to new tariffs, including a 145% rate on Chinese goods.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44725016/us-steel-stock-tumbles-as-trump-says-we-dont-want-to-see-it-go-to-japan">"US Steel Stock Tumbles As Trump Says ‘We Don't Want To See It Go To Japan'"</a>, by Adam Eckert, reports that United States Steel Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>) shares fell over 11% in after-hours trading after Trump expressed opposition to the company's acquisition by Nippon Steel, stating, "We don't want to see it go to Japan."



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44684590/microns-meltdown-tariff-surcharge-adds-salt-to-the-stocks-slide">"Micron's Meltdown: Tariff Surcharge Adds Salt To The Stock's Slide"</a>, by Surbhi Jain, reports that Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MU#NASDAQ">MU</a>) shares plunged over 22% in five trading days as the company imposed a tariff-related surcharge on U.S. customers, exacerbating bearish technical signals with the stock trading below key moving averages and nearing oversold RSI levels.



For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/25/04/44695368/death-cross-alert-alphabet-stock-drops-the-signal-bears-pick-it-up">Death Cross Alert: Alphabet Stock Drops The Signal, Bears Pick It Up</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44715119/pfizer-stock-is-sliding-wednesday-whats-going-on">Pfizer Stock Is Sliding Wednesday: What's Going On?</a>



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44748974/death-cross-meets-tax-threat-tsms-chip-dip-has-more-than-just-technicals-to-blame">TSMC Triggers Death Cross As Trump Tariff Threats Add To Investor Concerns</a>



Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following <a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> on X</a>.



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Apple, Nike, US Steel — And The Markets Ride Out Ongoing Volatility

This past weekend saw a flurry of activity in the tech world, with major developments in AI and legal battles making headlines. From Elon Musk&#8217;s ongoing legal tussle with OpenAI to China&#8217;s ambitious AI funding, the tech landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the weekend&#8217;s top stories.



Ex-OpenAI Staffers Rally Behind Musk



A group of 12 former OpenAI employees has come forward to support Musk in his legal fight against the AI startup&#8217;s shift to a for-profit model. The ex-staffers, who were part of OpenAI from 2018 to 2024, have asked a California district court to allow them to voice their concerns about the company&#8217;s transformation.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44777287/ex-openai-staffers-support-musks-legal-battle-against-companys-profit-shift">Read the full article here.</a>



China&#8217;s $8.2 Billion Bet on AI



China has unveiled a 60 billion yuan (US$8.2 billion) government-backed fund aimed at kick-starting early-stage AI projects. The move is seen as a part of China&#8217;s strategy to lead the global AI race and comes amidst escalating trade tensions with the U.S. and a nationwide push for tech self-sufficiency.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44757498/chinas-bold-bet-on-an-82-billion-national-fund-targets-ai-startups-in-the-race-for-global-tech-leadership">Read the full article here.</a>



See Also: <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/44728787/tesla-to-make-saudi-arabia-debut-amid-infrastructure-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla Starts Selling In Saudi Arabia Amid Declining Sales In Europe: Charging Network, Low Demand Could Be A Concern</a>



Record-Breaking Seed Round for New AI Startup



Mira Murati, the former CTO of ChatGPT-parent OpenAI, is reportedly seeking a whopping $2 billion seed round for her new AI venture, Thinking Machines Lab. The amount is double what Murati was targeting just under two months ago.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/04/44756971/former-openai-cto-mira-murati-targets-record-breaking-2-billion-seed-round-for-new-ai-startup">Read the full article here.</a>



Amazon&#8217;s AI Investments: A &#8216;Once-In-A-Lifetime Reinvention&#8217;



Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) CEO Andy Jassy has shed light on the company&#8217;s AI strategy in his annual letter to shareholders. Jassy highlighted the company&#8217;s focus on generative AI as a transformative force, with the potential to &#8220;reinvent virtually every customer experience.&#8221;



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/management/25/04/44746436/amazon-ceo-justifies-large-ai-investments-as-once-in-a-lifetime-reinvention-of-everything-we-know">Read the full article here.</a>



Amazon&#8217;s AI Milestone



Amazon has announced the release of a new speech-based AI model called Amazon Nova Sonic. The system integrates both speech comprehension and voice generation within one unified architecture, removing the need for multiple standalone models to manage each task separately.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/04/44695622/amazon-touts-ai-milestone-says-new-model-outshines-gpt-4o-in-real-time-speech">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44777482/trump-tariff-wars-chinas-new-rule-to-exempt-nvidia-qualcomm-and-others-from-levies-but-these-chip-compani" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Tariff Wars: China&#8217;s New Rule To Exempt Nvidia, Qualcomm And Others From Levies, But These Chip Companies Will Be Hit With 125% Tariffs</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock



This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/Rounak-Jain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rounak Jain</a>

Elon Musk's Legal Battle, China's Ambitions, Amazon's 'Once-In-A-Lifetime' Investments, And More: This Week In AI

Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban grew up in a middle-class family, which helped him learn the value of independence and a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/24/10/41222013/it-wasnt-anything-horrific-how-12-year-old-mark-cuban-developed-tough-skin-to-reach-billionaire">strong work ethic early on</a>.



When looking for employees, Cuban said there are two qualities he looks for in people that could be more important than talent alone.



What Happened:&nbsp;During a recent MasterClass course, Cuban shared the &#8220;two things that matter the most&#8221; for potential job candidates.



The &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; judge told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/07/mark-cuban-looks-for-these-qualities-when-hiring-new-employees.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNBC</a>&nbsp;that culture and competency are the two most important qualities.



&#8220;Are they competent enough to do the job? And do they fit in the culture of the organization? If they fail on either one, you&#8217;re going to be in trouble,&#8221; Cuban said.



Culture is more important than a person&#8217;s raw talent, Cuban argues.



The act of hiring employees who don&#8217;t fit a company&#8217;s culture is &#8220;probably the biggest mistake I&#8217;ve seen my portfolio companies (make)," he added.



Cuban looks for employees and partners who &#8220;complement&#8221; him and his skills, not just having the same skills and ideals. And he doesn&#8217;t mind having partners and employees who aren&#8217;t afraid to disagree with him.



&#8220;I think one of the biggest problems and entrepreneur (or) CEO can make is they hire people who are like them," he said. "You don&#8217;t need to hire people like you. You&#8217;ve got you.&#8221;



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44522293/shark-tank-poll-reveals-most-polarizing-star-is-it-mark-cuban">&#8216;Shark Tank&#8217; Poll Reveals Most Polarizing Star — Is It Mark Cuban?</a>



Why It&#8217;s Important:&nbsp;Cuban also shared potential interview questions, which could help employers find the right candidates:



<ul>
<li>What&#8217;s one thing you&#8217;ve failed at and one thing you&#8217;ve succeeded at?</li>



<li>Tell me about a time you took a chance at work.</li>



<li>Why did you leave your last job?</li>



<li>What&#8217;s the best culture of a company that you&#8217;ve ever worked in?</li>



<li>Who&#8217;s the best manager you&#8217;ve ever worked for?</li>
</ul>



&#8220;I want to get them talking about their positive or negative experiences, so I can understand whether or not they&#8217;re going to be a fit,&#8221; Cuban said.



You may not be a billionaire like Mark Cuban, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/03/44546189/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-59">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>



This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.



Image: Shutterstock

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Mark Cuban Wants Employees Who 'Complement' Him: These Are The Two Skills He Looks For

The popularity of Elon Musk has seen a significant downturn, as per a new tracker initiated by polling data analyst Nate Silver.



What Happened: The tracker, which was launched on Friday, indicates that a mere 39.6% of Americans hold&nbsp;a favorable view of Musk,&nbsp;while a majority of 53.5% view him unfavorably.



The tracker has been gathering data since January 2024 and shows a marked decrease in Musk&#8217;s popularity following his endorsement of President Donald Trump in July of the preceding year. Musk&#8217;s popularity suffered another blow after Trump assumed office and Musk launched DOGE, a move perceived as disruptive to American governmental institutions.



Responding to Silver's post on X announcing the tracker, Musk wrote, "The inevitable outcome of having a political propaganda war waged against me while I have almost no countervailing campaign.&#8221;



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The inevitable outcome of having a political propaganda war waged against me while I have almost no countervailing campaign and, at times, digging my own grave way better than my enemies do &#x1f923;&#x1f923;&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1910789570796413346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43768756/privacy-concerns-emerge-as-elon-musks-doge-team-seeks-access-to-taxpayer-data">Privacy Concerns Emerge As Elon Musk&#8217;s DOGE Team Seeks Access to Taxpayer Data</a>



The unveiling of the tracker comes in the wake of a Rolling Stone report that b underscored the difficulties senior Trump administration figures faced due to Musk&#8217;s behavior. One official likened interacting with Musk to &#8220;listening to really rusty nails&nbsp;on a chalkboard.&#8221;



Why It Matters: The decline in Musk&#8217;s popularity is significant, given his status as a prominent figure in the tech industry and his influence on public opinion. His endorsement of President Trump and the launch of DOGE have been controversial moves that have seemingly impacted his public image negatively. 



The tracker&#8217;s data, which has been collected over a significant period, provides a clear indication of the shift in public sentiment towards Musk.



Read Next



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44346423/teslas-biggest-bull-frustrated-with-elon-musks-focus-on-doge-over-company-patience-wearing-thin">Tesla&#8217;s Biggest Bull Frustrated With Elon Musk&#8217;s Focus On DOGE Over Company: &#8216;Patience Wearing Thin&#8217;</a>



Image: Shutterstock

Elon Musk: 'Digging My Own Grave' by Tying Himself to DOGE

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