Donald Trump has officially been sworn in as the 47th U.S. president, taking the oath of office at the United States Capitol Rotunda <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43084601/trump-day-1-executive-order-tsunami-incoming-heres-what-hes-signing-first">in Washington, D.C. </a>



In his inaugural address, Trump painted a stark picture of what he perceives as an America in decline, vowing to reclaim sovereignty, restore law and order, and put an end to what he called the &#8220;weaponization&#8221; of government institutions.



&#8220;The golden age of America begins right now,&#8221; Trump declared to the crowd. &#8220;From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world.&#8221;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Crackdowns On Immigration, Announces National Energy Emergency</h3>



&#8220;First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. We will reinstate my Remain in Mexico policy,&#8221; Trump said.



&#8220;Under the orders I signed today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations,&#8221; he added.



Trump also declared a national energy emergency. &#8220;We will drill, baby, drill,&#8221; he added.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A ‘New Era' Focused On America First — Again</h3>



Trump's grandiose speech echoed many themes from his 2017 inauguration, with an emphasis on national pride, economic revival, and strong borders.



&#8220;Our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous, and free,&#8221; he said. &#8220;America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before.&#8221;



Among the other promises Trump made: Renaming the Gulf of Mexico, &#8220;taking back&#8221; the Panama Canal from China and putting astronauts on Mars.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Attacking The ‘Failures' Of The Past</h3>



&#8220;We have a government that has given unlimited funding to defend foreign borders but refuses to defend our own people,&#8221; he said. 



&#8220;Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency.&#8221;



Trump specifically called out the federal government's response to disasters, referencing hurricane recovery in North Carolina and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/43076438/spare-no-expense-says-biden-but-whos-really-footing-the-bill-as-the-los-angeles-wildfire-damage-surpasses-250-billion">ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles</a>, where he claimed that even the wealthiest and most powerful Americans had been left without help.



&#8220;They don&#8217;t have a home any longer. That&#8217;s interesting,&#8221; he said.



&#8220;My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed their freedom. From this moment on, America&#8217;s decline is over,&#8221; he added.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Education, Healthcare, Justice In The Crosshairs</h3>



Trump also took aim at the U.S. public health and education systems, arguing that despite massive spending, both institutions had failed Americans.



He accused public schools of indoctrinating children, claiming that students are being taught to &#8220;hate their country&#8221; rather than embrace patriotism. He vowed that such trends would &#8220;change starting today, and it will change very quickly.&#8221;



&#8220;The American people have spoken,&#8221; Trump, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42916780/donald-trump-receives-unconditional-discharge-in-new-york-hush-money-case-will-enter-white-house-as-convicted-felon">a convicted felon</a>, said regarding his political comeback.



Now Read: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43085162/pro-crypto-trump-euphoria-fuels-2-2-billion-inflow-into-digital-assets">Euphoria Over Pro-Crypto Trump Fuels $2.2 Billion Inflow Into Digital Asset Products, Bitcoin Dominates</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock



Editor&#8217;s note: This story has been updated with additional information.

Government

Regulations

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Global

Econ #s

Trump Sworn In As 47th President, Declares 'Golden Age Of America Begins Right Now' (UPDATED)

The share prices of several of the most valuable publicly traded companies reached all-time highs since Donald Trump <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/11/41778433/s-p-500-dow-hit-record-highs-after-trump-win-fear-index-drops-20">won the 2024 presidential election</a>.



A new Benzinga reader poll predicts where the S&amp;P 500 Index will open on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the day after Trump's inauguration.



What Happened: Trump's inauguration, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43085323/trump-sworn-in-as-47th-president-declares-golden-age-of-america-begins-right-now">took place on Monday</a>, marked his second non-consecutive term as the U.S. President.



The stock market remains closed Monday <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43082450/is-the-market-open-on-martin-luther-king-jr-day-heres-what-investors-need-to-know">in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day</a>, which is a federal holiday.



While investors can&#8217;t trade stocks individually mentioned or sectors highlighted during Trump&#8217;s inauguration speech, the market&#8217;s reaction will unfold when trading resumes on Tuesday.



Benzinga polled readers on how high the S&amp;P 500, one of the leading stock market indexes, might climb when trading resumes on Tuesday.



"How high will the S&amp;P 500 climb when it opens on Tuesday after Donald Trump's inauguration?" Benzinga asked.



Here are the results:



<ul>
<li>Up 51 to 100 points: 39%</li>



<li>Up 0 to 50 points: 35%</li>



<li>Up 101+ points: 14%</li>



<li>None, the S&amp;P will drop: 11%</li>
</ul>



The poll found that 89% of readers think the S&amp;P 500 will trade higher on Tuesday. The leading vote-getter was 51 to 100 points. This translates to a 0.8% to 1.7% gain based on Friday's closing price of 5,996.66 for the index.



The next leading vote-getter was 0 to 50 points, which would be a positive gain but on a smaller level.



Around 14% of readers believe the S&amp;P 500 Index will gain at least 101 points on Tuesday.



Why It's Important: The S&amp;P 500 Index, tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>), enjoyed strong returns during Trump's last term in the White House.



During Trump&#8217;s last four years in the White House, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust was up around 70%.



Observers don&#8217;t expect all the gains to happen on Trump&#8217;s first day in office. Tuesday&#8217;s stock price action could signal optimism for a new administration, although some of the optimism may already be priced in.



On Nov. 6, 2024, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust opened at $589.20, marking a 2.2% increase from its previous close on Election Day. The strong open and subsequent closing price of $591.04 may reflect investor sentiment following Trump&#8217;s victory in the 2024 election.



The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF opened at $381.11 — up 0.6% from the previous close — on Jan. 20, 2021 when Joe Biden was sworn in as president. The ETF closed at $383.89 for the day, ending the day up from the previous day and higher than the opening price.



The same can be said for the ETF on Jan. 20, 2017 — the last time Trump was sworn in as president. The ETF opened at $226.70, up from a close of $225.91 the night before. The ETF closed at $226.74. That was up from the close the night before, but only marginally from the opening price that day.



A <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43059744/exclusive-can-sp-500-repeat-large-gains-from-donald-trumps-first-term-a-second-time-around-readers-say-this-return-range-most-likely">recent Benzinga poll </a>asked readers what they believe the S&amp;P 500 ETF will return from 2025 through 2029. The range of 31% to 45% was the leading vote-getter at 33%, followed by 0% to 15% at 24%.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/25/01/43041374/exclusive-how-high-will-sp-500-go-under-donald-trump-in-2025-readers-are-optimistic-26-say-this">Another Benzinga poll</a> found that 26% of readers predict the S&amp;P 500 will be up 16% or more in 2025, Trump's first year back in office.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43074163/exclusive-will-bitcoin-dogecoin-shiba-inu-or-xrp-gain-more-on-trumps-inauguration-day-41-pick-this-crypto">EXCLUSIVE: Will Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Or XRP Gain More On Trump&#8217;s Inauguration Day? 41% Pick This Crypto</a></li>
</ul>



Benzinga conducted the study from Jan. 16, 2025 through Jan. 17, 2025. It included the responses of a diverse population of adults 18 or older. Opting into the survey was completely voluntary, with no incentives offered to potential respondents. The study reflects results from 79 adults.



Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Exclusives

Trading Ideas

ETFs

EXCLUSIVE: Where Will S&P 500 Open Tuesday After Trump's Inauguration? 39% Pick This Range

Markets in the U.S. will pause on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, even as political and financial tensions mount ahead of<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump"> Donald Trump's presidential inauguration.</a>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">US Stock And Bond Markets Are Closed</h3>



The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will not operate on Monday, in line with standard market holidays. Trading will restart on Tuesday with regular hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.



Last Friday, the S&amp;P 500 index — tracked by the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) — closed 1% higher at 5,996 points, now hovering at less than 2 percentage points below record highs.



The Treasury market is also closed, leaving investors to digest potential policy shifts from the incoming administration without access to U.S. government bond trading.



Futures markets will observe an early close at 1:00 p.m. ET. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Commodities Futures On Alert Amid Trump Measures</h3>



Futures on precious metals, such as gold and silver, will wrap up slightly later at 1:30 p.m. ET.



Energy contracts, including crude oil and natural gas, will follow normal trading hours. Futures on the West Texas Intermediate light crude traded 0.4% higher to $78 a barrel during early morning trading in New York. 



Energy markets will be on high alert as President-elect Trump announces his first economic policies.



 The incoming administration is expected to roll back regulations on U.S. oil and gas production, potentially unleashing a surge in domestic output, while also adopting a more aggressive stance against Iran and Russia.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FX Traders On Edge As Trump Eyes Tariff Blitz</h3>



Currency trading remains open, with forex traders preparing for potential dollar swings. 



Trump has signaled a hardline <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/42988641/trump-wants-trade-partners-to-start-paying-announces-external-revenue-service-for-tariffs">stance on trade policies</a>, with the possibility of steep tariffs on Chinese goods — up to 60% — and additional levies of 10% to 20% on imports from other countries, including neighbors such as Canada and Mexico.



The dollar's reaction could set the tone for global markets in the weeks ahead. Should Trump confirm his aggressive trade agenda, analysts expect increased demand for the greenback.



The U.S. dollar slightly weakened by 0.4% against the euro, while inching 0.1% higher vis-à-vis the Japanese yen. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin Hits Record High As Crypto Speculation Heats Up</h3>



Unlike equities and bonds, the cryptocurrency market never sleeps. 



Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) surged to an all-time high of $109,350 overnight, riding a wave of speculation that Trump's administration may usher in an era of deregulation for the crypto sector.



Adding fuel to the fire, Trump floated the idea of a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, a controversial move that has drawn both praise and skepticism from market participants. 



According to CFTC-regulated platform Kalshi, betting markets price in a 63% chance that Trump will create a National Bitcoin Fund by the end of the year.



Over the weekend, the President-elect launched his own meme coin, TRUMP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>), which rapidly soared to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">$15 billion market capitalization.</a> It has since been on a downtrend, plummeting to a $9.3 billion market cap at last check Monday. 



First Lady Melania Trump also introduced her own digital asset, MELANIA (CRYPTO: MELANIA), which amassed a $2 billion valuation within hours. 



Read Now: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43068639/betting-markets-brace-for-wave-of-executive-orders-on-trump-day-1-immigration-tariffs-top-issues-on-the-table">Betting Markets Brace For Wave Of Executive Orders On Trump Day 1: Immigration, Tariffs Top Issues On The Table</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

News

Commodities

Markets

$BTC

Is The Market Open On Martin Luther King Jr. Day? Here's What Investors Need To Know

Just hours before Donald Trump takes the oath of office for his second term, markets are dialing back expectations for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump">an immediate tariff announcement</a>.



Market odds on Trump enacting new tariffs before Thursday have plunged to just 16% by 9:20 a.m. ET, according to CFTC-regulated prediction platform Kalshi, marking their lowest level since the market opened in December.



According to the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-to-lay-out-trade-visionbut-wont-impose-new-tariffs-yet-b9c8378d">Wall Street Journal</a>, Trump plans to issue a memorandum instructing federal agencies to review trade policies and assess U.S. trade relationships with China and neighboring countries. Yet, the directive is expected to fall short of imposing new tariffs on his first day in office.



The news outlet confirmed that it reviewed a summary of the memo and spoke with Trump's advisers about its contents.


<iframe loading="lazy" style="border: 0;" src="https://kalshi.com/external-widgets/events/KXTARIFFSG-25JAN23/markets/KXTARIFFSG-25JAN23?color_scheme=light&amp;widget_size=large" width="100%" height="400px"></iframe>


While tariffs remain a cornerstone of Trump's economic agenda, investors are recalibrating expectations for their timing. This signals that the announcement may come later than initially anticipated.



In currency markets, the U.S. dollar weakened across the board during Monday morning trading. The greenback fell over 1.2% against the euro, and by nearly 1% against the British pound.



&#8220;There will be the risk of a correction in the dollar should it look like Trump will be more selective on tariffs after all – but that should probably come at a later stage,&#8221; said Francesco Pesole, ING forex analyst. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Delayed Tariff Timing? Market Signals Caution</h2>



Trump pledged to enact a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, two of the United States' largest trading partners as soon as he takes office on January 20, 2025. 



Yet, Goldman Sachs analyst Kamakshya Trivedi highlighted that investors may be taking Trump's "Day 1 pledges too literally,&#8221; pointing out that many early executive orders tend to be symbolic or focus on rolling back previous policies rather than introducing major new initiatives.



The delay in tariff expectations is also being influenced by concerns over financial market stability. 



Alfonso Peccatiello, chief investment officer of macro hedge fund Palinuro, warned that aggressive tariffs could spark an inflationary shock, pushing bond yields higher as investors demand greater risk premiums. 



If tariffs are perceived as inflationary, the Federal Reserve could face renewed pressure to keep monetary policy restrictive, potentially derailing market hopes for interest rate cuts.



Peccatiello outlined a possible tariff framework under Trump's second term:



<ul>
<li>A 10% global tariff across all imports</li>



<li>A gradual escalation of tariffs on China starting at 2.5% per month with no predetermined end date</li>



<li>A 25% tariff on Canadian and European imports, with the potential for further increases.</li>
</ul>



Such a scenario would catch markets off guard, Peccatiello said. He predicts that over the next few weeks, the euro could fall below parity against the dollar. The U.S. dollar-to-Canadian dollar exchange rate could also surge toward 1.50, while bond markets could experience an initial rally before stabilizing. Lastly, equity markets could see a sharp but temporary pullback.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stock Market Implications: Short-Term Volatility, Long-Term Opportunity?</h3>



Veteran strategist Ed Yardeni believes that while initial equity market reactions could be volatile, any pullbacks may be short-lived buying opportunities.



Trump has positioned tariffs as a major revenue generator. He referred to his proposed "External Revenue Service" as a key tool for boosting government income. Estimates suggest that an across-the-board 10% to 20% tariff could generate between $400 billion and $850 billion annually.



Yet, these projections assume that tariffs do not trigger retaliatory trade actions or <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/11/41737933/trump-tariff-proposed-may-cost-americans-78b-in-spending-study">weaken consumer spending</a>. Both outcomes could offset any fiscal gains.



Read now: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43068639/betting-markets-brace-for-wave-of-executive-orders-on-trump-day-1-immigration-tariffs-top-issues-on-the-table">Betting Markets Brace For Wave Of Executive Orders On Trump Day 1: Immigration, Tariffs Top Issues On The Table</a></li>
</ul>



Image: Shutterstock

Macro Economic Events

Economics

Market Bets On Trump's Tariff Announcement Plummet, Dollar Falls: What's Going On?

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETF market is never dull</a>, and 2025 promises to be no exception. 



In a podcast discussion on Bloomberg, The ETF Store, Inc. President Nate Geraci, along with Bloomberg&#8217;s Eric Balchunas and Vilna Hyek shared their thoughts on what lies ahead. Here's a look at the predictions shaping the conversation.



First up: A fee war. Geraci believes we're about to see some serious competition among the biggest S&amp;P 500 ETFs. Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>) and iShares Core S&amp;P 500 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IVV#NYSE">IVV</a>) are duking it out to become the market favorite. 



With fees already thin at 0.02% and 0.03% respectively, any further cuts could make headlines. "It's about capturing that top spot," said Geraci. Vanguard has a history of passing cost savings to investors as funds grow. It's a win for consumers, but it could squeeze margins for providers.



Also See: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/01/43001690/exclusive-crypto-commodities-take-center-stage-volatility-2025-direxion-ceo">EXCLUSIVE: Direxion CEO Predicts Crypto, Commodities Will Take Center Stage Amid Volatility In 2025</a>



Coming to the second prediction, Geraci is optimistic that 2025 will bring a wave of approvals for spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, along with some altcoin-focused funds. Why now? The regulatory environment looks set to become more crypto-friendly, especially with potential leadership changes at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 



If Geraci is right, expect a flood of new options for investors looking to ride the crypto wave through ETFs.



Not every innovation, however, is a perfect fit for ETFs. Take private credit ETFs, for instance. While they sound intriguing, Geraci is skeptical. The biggest issue? Private credit is illiquid, and ETFs promise daily liquidity. Throw in potential conflicts of interest — like fund managers acting as both liquidity providers and valuation sources — and it's a recipe for disaster. "The structure just doesn't match the asset," he warned.



Tax efficiency is another trend that's gaining traction. Among those gaining popularity are structures like 351 exchanges, which let investors contribute stocks whose prices have appreciated, to an ETF, without triggering capital gains taxes. These setups aren't just about saving money — they also make ETFs a smarter tool for long-term planning.



Of course, the conversation wouldn't be complete without a word of caution. Leveraged single-stock ETFs have been grabbing attention, but they carry significant risks. Geraci is blunt about it: "It's only a matter of time before one of these implodes." Leveraged ETFs built around sensitive stocks are one sharp dip away from falling off the cliff.



So, what does all this mean for 2025? It's clear that the ETF market is evolving rapidly, with innovation and competition driving the next phase of growth. But as always, investors should keep an eye on the risks. As Geraci put it, "These aren't just investment calls — they're predictions about the forces reshaping the ETF industry." 



Here's hoping 2025 lives up to the hype.



Read Next: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/content/43076066/top-etfs-that-beat-the-market-in-2024-and-could-do-it-again">Top ETFs That Beat the Market in 2024 and Could Do It Again</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Cryptocurrency

ETFs In 2025: Fee Wars, Crypto Booms, And The Risks Ahead

President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s official meme coin plunged sharply Sunday evening, coinciding with the launch of another token launched by Melania Trump. 



What happened: The OFFICIAL TRUMP token crashed nearly 36% from $73 to $46 late Sunday evening, wiping out nearly $5 billion worth of market capitalization, <a href="https://dexscreener.com/solana/9dirurpjnanzhn6ts5hglouhtjrt1jgspbxnycrfz2ad">according </a>to data from DEX Screener. The dump followed the launch of a similar token by the incoming first lady, Melania Trump.



Melania Trump shared a link to the official website of the meme coin MELANIA in her X post, with a caption, "The Official Melania Meme is live!" Donald Trump has reshared the post.



<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 Official Melania Meme is live! You can buy $MELANIA now.  <a href="https://t.co/8FXvlMBhVf">https://t.co/8FXvlMBhVf</a> FUAfBo2jgks6gB4Z4LfZkqSZgzNucisEHqnNebaRxM1P <a href="https://t.co/t2vYiahRn6">pic.twitter.com/t2vYiahRn6</a>&mdash; MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1881094861279129643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



The coin, which was themed around the incoming first lady, was launched on Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>), much like the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">token's launch tied to her husband</a> a couple of days ago.



The meme coin's website issued a disclaimer, stating, "Melania Memes are intended for collecting and entertainment purposes only. They are not financial instruments or investments."



MELANIA token has <a href="https://dexscreener.com/solana/9dirurpjnanzhn6ts5hglouhtjrt1jgspbxnycrfz2ad">jumped</a> over 21,000% in the last 24 hours to a market capitalization of $11.39 billion and generating approximately $383 million in liquidity in just four hours.



Popular cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez revealed that he shorted the OFFICIAL TRUMP token and that it was &#8220;going well.&#8221; Earlier he announced selling all of his TRUMP tokens.



<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">My <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TRUMP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TRUMP</a> short is going very, very well! <a href="https://t.co/n7FH2Ce9um">https://t.co/n7FH2Ce9um</a> <a href="https://t.co/kEv9QXuaFN">pic.twitter.com/kEv9QXuaFN</a>&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1881092494680879112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Another widely-followed cryptocurrency investor, Altcoin Gordon, disclosed opening a $500,000 short on the token. 



&#8220;Liquidation is $90 If it hits $55, I will make $2.7 million. I am ready for the sell-off,&#8221; the trader revealed their strategy.



<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">I just opened a $500K short on Trump coin Liquidation is $90 If it hits $55 I will make $2.7M. I am ready for the sell off. You think I will win? <a href="https://t.co/uRNU5yMP4H">pic.twitter.com/uRNU5yMP4H</a>&mdash; Gordon (@AltcoinGordon) <a href="https://twitter.com/AltcoinGordon/status/1880962042993299522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



See Also:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42735744/pharma-bro-martin-shkreli-predicts-doom-for-michael-saylors-microstrategy-as-stock-dips-below-300-in-after-hours-trading"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/42994641/italys-largest-bank-leaps-into-bitcoin-trading-with-1-million-test-investment-but-ceo-says-he-doesnt-invest-in-btc-personally">Italy&#8217;s Largest Bank Leaps Into Bitcoin Trading With $1 Million &#8216;Test&#8217; Investment But CEO Says He Doesn&#8217;t Invest In BTC Personally</a>



Why It Matters: The launch of OFFICIAL TRUMP created a stir in the cryptocurrency space, as its fully diluted valuation reached a whopping $74 billion at one time.



Reports <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076559/donald-trumps-meme-coin-trump-rallies-103-in-a-day-creates-billions-out-of-thin-air">suggested </a>that&nbsp; CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of the Trump Organization, and a related entity, Fight Fight Fight LLC, own an 80% share of the digital asset, fueling speculation of an increase in Trump&#8217;s fortune as a result of the meme coin.



<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 href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TRUMP&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TRUMP</a>&#39;s meme coin just traded at $74. The total Supply is 1B, and 200M is in circulation. Total mktcap is $74B. Trump&#39;s paper profit is ~$60B (80% of which is not in circulation). Does this make him the greatest crypto billionaire in history? And it took just 36 hours!… <a href="https://t.co/v52wgtv9On">pic.twitter.com/v52wgtv9On</a>&mdash; Jim Bianco (@biancoresearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/biancoresearch/status/1881001234838016370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



However, naysayers didn't hold back. Anthony Scaramucci, a prominent cryptocurrency advocate and former White House Communications Director, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43076714/scaramucci-criticizes-donald-trumps-meme-coin-launch-idi-amin-level-corruption">labeled the launch</a> as "Idi Amin-level corruption."



Donald Trump was all set to take the presidential oath on Monday. He has confirmed that his inaugural address will take place indoors in the Capitol Rotunda due to dangerously cold weather in Washington, D.C.



Read Next:&nbsp;



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993521/michael-saylors-microstrategy-not-alone-in-bitcoin-acquisition-says-bitwise-chief-investment-officer-its-a-bona-fide-megatrend">Michael Saylor&#8217;s MicroStrategy Not Alone In Bitcoin Acquisition, Says Bitwise Chief Investment Officer: &#8216;It&#8217;s A Bona Fide Megatrend&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

$SOL

Trump Coin Tanks 36%, Even As Melania Trump Launches Her Own Token: Top Analyst Says His Short Is 'Going Very, Very Well'

Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) researcher Troy Teslike sees three possibilities for the $7,500 tax credit currently available on the purchase of new electric vehicles once Donald Trump swears in as President on Monday.



What Happened: According to Teslike, Trump may choose to restrict the reach of the tax credit, making it apply to less number of EV models or less number of potential customers by changing the eligibility criteria. 



The President-elect could instead also restrict eligibility criteria immediately and announce that Congress will cancel the tax credit in six months, Teslike said.



However, according to Teslike, it would be ideal for EV adoption and Tesla deliveries this year if Trump instead chooses to leave the eligibility criteria of the tax credit untouched while announcing that he wants Congress to cancel it within 6 months. 



The last option, where the eligibility criteria are left untouched, will give potential buyers time to make their Tesla purchases while utilizing the tax credit. This will allow the company to make up for the drop in sales during the second half of the year once the tax credit is dropped, Teslike opined. 



<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">Hopefully, within 24 hours we&#39;ll know Trump&#39;s plans for the $7,500 tax credit for EVs. Here are some possible outcomes: Scenario 1: Only restrict eligibility for now (such as the income limit or vehicle price). Scenario 2: Restrict eligibility now and announce that Congress will…&mdash; Troy Teslike (@TroyTeslike) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyTeslike/status/1881223077922582649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Why It Matters: In November, Reuters reported that President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump‘s transition team is planning to kill $7,500 tax credit available on EV purchases. The report also noted that Tesla representatives expressed support for ending the subsidy to the team.



&#8220;In my view, we should end all government subsidies, including those for EVs, oil and gas,&#8221; Tesla CEO&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;then said.



During Tesla's second-quarter earnings in late July, Musk also said that the impact of the elimination of subsidies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39934750/trump-presidency-and-ira-cut-would-be-devastating-for-competitors-says-elon-musk-long-term-probably" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">would only be slight for Tesla</a>&nbsp;but devastating for its competitors. The elimination of EV subsidies would probably help Tesla in the long term, he added.



Teslike, however, is of the opinion that the loss of tax credit will only make Tesla<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42641207/researcher-says-cancelation-of-7500-ev-tax-credit-could-impact-teslas-deliveries-despite-ceo-elon-musk-claiming-otherwise"> lose its market to gas cars</a> from luxury car brands.



&#8220;Tesla competes with gas cars from BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Audi. Therefore, without the tax credit, Teslas will effectively be $7,500 more expensive compared to those cars,&#8221;&nbsp;Teslike said in November. 



Tesla reported global&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/01/42766117/tesla-stock-tumbles-on-q4-deliveries-whats-going-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deliveries of 1.79 million</a>&nbsp;vehicles in 2024, down from full-year deliveries of 1.81 million in 2023.



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link.</a>



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43080738/nhtsa-opens-probe-into-about-878000-gm-gas-vehicles-days-after-closing-investigation-into-its-cruise-avs">NHTSA Opens Probe Into Nearly 878,000 GM Vehicles Over Engine Failure Concerns Days After Closing Investigation Into Its Cruise AVs</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Tech

TSLA

Tesla Researcher Says It Will Help EV Giant's Annual Deliveries If Trump Does Not Change EV Tax Credit Eligibility Criteria Immediately

Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leader of President-elect Donald Trump&#8216;s Department of Government Efficiency, is expected to step down from his position, potentially complicating the administration&#8217;s ambitious federal spending reduction goals. 



What Happened: Ramaswamy, 39, plans to pursue a campaign for Ohio governor by month&#8217;s end, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-expected-to-depart-doge/">reported</a> CBS News citing multiple sources. The departure comes as Ramaswamy&#8217;s DOGE co-leader, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk, recently scaled back expectations for budget cuts from $2 trillion to a more <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/01/43046108/musks-doge-ambitions-shrink-why-2-trillion-budget-cuts-may-be-out-of-reach">modest $1 trillion target</a>.



During a recent interview on X, Musk characterized even this reduced goal as an &#8220;epic outcome&#8221; if achieved.



The leadership shake-up has caught Wall Street&#8217;s attention, though analysts remain optimistic about its impact on the defense sector. 



Truist Securities analyst Michael Ciarmoli initiated coverage of Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LMT#NYSE">LMT</a>) and Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOC#NYSE">NOC</a>) with Buy ratings, describing DOGE-related concerns as &#8220;overblown&#8221; given the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/initiation/25/01/43010706/doge-fears-for-defense-contractors-lockheed-martin-northrop-grumman-overblown-analyst-says">advisory nature of the department</a>.



Ramaswamy did not immediately respond to&nbsp;<a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga</a>'s request for comment.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43076609/tiktok-back-online-in-us-after-trump-vows-monday-executive-order">TikTok Back Online In US After Trump Vows Monday Executive Order</a>



Why It Matters: According to the report, internal dynamics are growing friction between Ramaswamy and incoming DOGE staff, with associates of Musk privately expressing frustration over Ramaswamy&#8217;s limited participation in key initiatives.



The department, while not a full federal agency, is tasked with advising on bureaucracy reduction and federal spending cuts, with a mandate to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/11/41927289/trump-appoints-elon-musk-and-vivek-ramaswamy-to-lead-doge-targeting-bureaucracy-and-65-trillion-federal-spending-we-will-not-go-gently">complete its work by July 2026</a>.



Market observers note that previous attempts at significant federal spending reductions have faced congressional resistance, with even modest proposals struggling to gain traction. 



Read Next: 



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43077969/bernie-sanders-slams-elon-musks-vision-of-super-high-iq-aristocracy-who-are-going-to-be-running-the-world-for-us">Bernie Sanders Slams Elon Musk&#8217;s Vision Of &#8216;Super High IQ&#8217; Aristocracy Who Are &#8216;Going To Be Running The World For Us&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>



Image Via Shutterstock 



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Elon Musk's DOGE Co-Lead Vivek Ramaswamy Expected To Exit Trump Admin Task Force Amid Ohio Governorship Bid

Jeff Bezos-backed Perplexity reportedly bid to merge with TikTok U.S. on Saturday, but Wedbush analyst Dan Ives hinted Elon Musk&#8217;s X could ultimately <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42994923/mrbeast-discussing-buying-tiktok-with-billionaires-to-prevent-us-shutdown-lets-see-if-we-can-pull-this-off">seal the deal</a> amid rising speculation.



What Happened: On Saturday, Perplexity submitted a bid to ByteDance, TikTok&#8217;s Chinese parent company, to form a new entity that includes Perplexity, TikTok U.S., and new capital partners, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/18/perplexity-ai-makes-a-bid-to-merge-with-tiktok-us.html">reported</a> CNBC, citing sources familiar with the matter.



The proposed merger would allow most of ByteDance&#8217;s current investors to maintain their equity stakes while improving Perplexity&#8217;s video capabilities.



See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43051084/mrbeast-unveils-mystery-box-giveaway-to-celebrate-beast-games-episode-6-release-on-amazon-prime-video">MrBeast Unveils Mystery Box Giveaway To Celebrate Beast Games Episode 6 Release On Amazon Prime Video</a>



The source estimates the deal&#8217;s value to exceed $50 billion, contingent on ByteDance&#8217;s shareholders&#8217; decisions to stay or cash out.



Perplexity, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37421021/this-jeff-bezos-backed-ai-tool-can-replace-search-engine-for-many-people-says-top-ex-googler-but-the">a startup challenging</a> Alphabet Inc.‘s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google, saw its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42570376/jeff-bezos-backed-perplexity-raises-500-million-tripling-its-valuation-to-9-billion-as-competition-with-google-and-openai-heats-up">valuation soar from $500 million to $9 billion</a> last year.



Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.



Why It Matters: Previously, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) CEO Elon Musk was considered a potential buyer, though <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43019833/elon-musk-buying-tiktok-could-hurt-tesla-warns-gary-black-but-dan-ives-thinks-it-makes-sense">concerns were raised</a> about the impact on the EV giant.



TikTok, which went dark for some time later Saturday started restorning its services on Sunday. Donald Trump &#8220;most likely&#8221; plans to extend TikTok&#8217;s deadline by 90 days to facilitate a deal.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/19214002/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-8.09.56%E2%80%AFAM-926x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-740667"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Truth Social</figcaption></figure>



Musk also took to X, formerly Twitter, and highlighted that while his social media app is not allowed to operate in China, banning TikTok in the U.S. would be &#8220;against freedom of speech.&#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">I have been against a TikTok ban for a long time, because it goes against freedom of speech. That said, the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but &#120143; is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced. Something needs to change. <a href="https://t.co/YVu2hkZEVZ">https://t.co/YVu2hkZEVZ</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1880975630646612254?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Before Trump&#8217;s statement about potentially extending TikTok&#8217;s deadline, Ives took to X and predicted that the 90-day window would be used to work on a deal with U.S. tech players, with Musk&#8217;s X being a likely candidate.



<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">Biden Admin never issued the statement…so TikTok went dark for 170 mm users. We believe Trump turns it back on with an Executive Order on Monday once he is sworn in as US President. Then 90 days to work on buyer/partnership with US tech player likely being Musk/X in our view <a href="https://t.co/O2UdLOCMIO">https://t.co/O2UdLOCMIO</a>&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1880874865269547354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



ByteDance has previously suggested it will not sell TikTok U.S.



Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.



Read Next:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/12/42715441/openais-for-profit-transition-trumps-ai-advisor-and-googles-code-red-this-week-in-ai?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI&#8217;s For-Profit Transition, Trump&#8217;s AI Advisor, And Google&#8217;s Code Red: This Week In AI</a></li>
</ul>



Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Social Media

Media

GOOG

GOOGL

Jeff Bezos-Backed Perplexity Reportedly Makes $50 Billion Move To Merge With TikTok, But Elon Musk's X Remains This Analyst's Favorite Bidder

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/snoop-dogg">Snoop Dogg</a> rattled the core of his fan base <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43074504/crypto-firms-donate-millions-to-trump-inaugural-fund-host-unofficial-ball-featuring-snoop-dogg">after performing at the first-ever inaugural Crypto Ball</a> Friday, part of the weekend celebrations leading up to President-elect Donald Trump's Monday inauguration.



The Washington, D.C. event, hosted by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/david-sacks">David Sacks</a>, former COO of PayPal (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>) who <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42356067/venture-capitalist-david-sacks-appointed-as-white-house-ai-crypto-czar-by-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump appointed</a> to serve as the White House AI &amp; crypto czar, was attended by about 1,500 people, including executives from crypto companies such as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/crypto-com">Crypto.com</a>, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/kraken">Kraken</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42569133/crypto-wallet-provider-exodus-makes-wall-street-debut-shares-pop-37">Exodus</a> (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXOD#AMEX">EXOD</a>), <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/with-cocktails-snoop-dogg-crypto-industry-celebrates-trump-inauguration-2025-01-18/">reported</a> Reuters. 



Trump, who did not attend the gala, is expected to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">issue executive orders</a> next week aimed at fostering a more favorable environment for cryptocurrency companies. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">&#8216;Make Bitcoin Great Again&#8217;</h2>



Swag included &#8220;Make Bitcoin Great Again&#8221; baseball caps and flag pins with the symbol for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/gemini">Gemini</a>, an event sponsor and crypto exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Reuters reported that other sponsors included the digital asset division of Robinhood (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HOOD#NASDAQ">HOOD</a>)<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/HOOD.O" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">,</a> MicroStrategy and Crypto.com. 



Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43074504/crypto-firms-donate-millions-to-trump-inaugural-fund-host-unofficial-ball-featuring-snoop-dogg">Crypto Firms Donate Millions to Trump Inaugural Fund, Host Unofficial Ball Featuring Snoop Dogg</a>



Snoop, a voracious <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39733952/snoop-dogg-to-open-weed-stores-in-la-amsterdam-named-after-iconic-smoke-weed-every-day-motto">cannabis consumer</a>, was filmed as the DJ playing songs like Bob Marley's &#8220;Three Little Birds (Don't Worry About a Thing), <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/snoop-dogg-wows-trump-inauguration-crypto-ball-bob-marley-song">reported</a> Fox News. He also performed a few of his own tunes, including, &#8220;Drop It Like It's Hot.&#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">BREAKING: Snoop Dogg has gone full-blown <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MAGA</a> performing at Trump's Crypto Ball <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trump</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Inauguration?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Inauguration</a> <a href="https://t.co/g6TH2H0cmD">pic.twitter.com/g6TH2H0cmD</a>&mdash; Fiona Moriarty (@factswithfiona) <a href="https://twitter.com/factswithfiona/status/1880480621874803051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trump Vs. Snoop, Now ‘Love And Respect'</h2>



In a March 2017 video <a href="https://hightimes.com/culture/music/trump-freaks-out-over-snoop-doggs-new-video-and-its-priceless/">made by Snoop Dogg,</a> a character named "Ronald Klump" presented as a clown is shot by Snoop Dogg with a Looney Tunes&#8211;style gun. The mock shooting drove then President Trump straight to his Twitter account where he tweet-stormed Snoop pretty much day and night for at least a week.



Jumping to January 2024, after Trump launched his presidential campaign, the rapper sang his praises. "Donald Trump? He ain&#8217;t done nothing wrong to me,&#8221; he told <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/snoop-dogg-i-have-nothing-but-love-and-respect-for-donald-trump-k60k99phr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sunday Times</a>. "He pardoned Michael Harris." Harris, the co-founder of Snoop's first label, Death Row, was serving time for drug offenses. "So, I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump."



Meanwhile, Snoop's fans seem not to be feeling a lot of love and respect for him right now.



In footage shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DE9IUynM67H/?img_index=1">The Shade Room</a> on Instagram, comments ranged from unkind to shocked to furious.



"This is culturally embarrassing and disrespectful asf [as f&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;]," one person wrote.



"Nipsey and Pac would never!!!" said another, referring to the late, beloved rappers <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/09/35011178/tupac-shakur-murder-suspect-indicted-nearly-three-decades-after-hip-hop-icons-shooting-death">Tupac Shakur</a> and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/02/31021050/nipsey-hussles-murderer-sentenced-to-60-years-in-prison-after-months-long-trial">Nipsey Hussle</a>.



"Not a check in the world worth selling my soul to the Devil," another person wrote.



For the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with tech and crypto billionaires at the event that will no doubt solidify Trump as the <a href="https://www.the-independent.com/tech/trump-bitcoin-crypto-president-jd-vance-b2582235.html">self-proclaimed</a> &#8220;first crypto president,&#8221; guests shelled out between $2,500 and $5,000 for tickets. But, there was a $100,000 VIP package that included face time crypto czar Sacks. 



Read Now:



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43074649/bitcoin-ethereum-and-dogecoin-spike-on-optimism-over-new-trump-presidency">Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin Spike on Optimism Over New Trump Presidency</a></li>
</ul>



Image created with a photo from Shutterstock.

Cannabis

EXOD

HOOD

PYPL

Trump's Crypto Ball: Snoop Dogg's Participation Leaves Fans Furious, Top Crypto Execs Delighted

TikTok came back online in the U.S. shortly after 12:00 p.m. ET, two hours after President-elect Donald Trump said on social media that he will sign an executive order Monday postponing enforcement of the new law requiring the sale of the Chinese-owned platform.



What Happened: As <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/19/trump-tiktok-ban-delay-executive-order">reported</a> by Axios, Trump, who was once at the forefront of the campaign to ban TikTok, is now championing its survival. Trump wrote on Truth Social, &#8220;I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law&#8217;s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.&#8221;



US users of the popular video app began finding that access had been restored shortly after noon on the East Coast.



Trump&#8217;s post indicated that the order would absolve any company that assisted in keeping TikTok operational prior to his order from any liability. He voiced his aspiration for the US to secure a &#8220;50% ownership position&#8221; in a joint venture to rescue TikTok. &#8220;By doing this, we save TikTok, keep it in good hands and allow it to [stay] up.&#8221;



However, the specifics of Trump&#8217;s plan, including whether he intends for the US government or a US company to hold this 50% stake, and how he aims to circumvent the law, remain ambiguous, as an executive order cannot supersede it.



The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, mandated TikTok&#8217;s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to an approved buyer by January 19 to evade a ban. The law does allow for the president to initiate a 90-day extension, but only if substantial progress towards divestiture is made and binding legal agreements are in place to facilitate a deal.



Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s unexpected move to delay the TikTok ban and his proposition for a US stake in the app marks a significant shift in his stance.

TikTok Back Online In US After Trump Vows Monday Executive Order

The week was filled with significant developments, from the anticipation of President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&#8216;s executive orders to the bullish surge of Bitcoin. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top stories that made headlines.



Trump&#8217;s Day 1 Executive Orders



Betting markets are predicting a flurry of executive orders from President-elect Trump on his first day in office. Traders on the CFTC-regulated platform Kalshi anticipate Trump signing at least 15 executive orders, with the most aggressive bets on 50 or more. The first days of the Trump administration are expected to be highly consequential, with potential changes in tariffs, immigration, and Bitcoin policies.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43068639/betting-markets-brace-for-wave-of-executive-orders-on-trump-day-1-immigration-tariffs-top-issues-on-the-table">Read the full article here.</a>



Bitcoin&#8217;s Bullish Surge



Crypto trader Michaël van de Poppe predicts a significant bullish surge for Bitcoin as it crosses the $100,000 mark ahead of Trump&#8217;s inauguration. He also suggests that altcoins, particularly those in the Ethereum ecosystem, will likely outperform Bitcoin.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073087/bitcoin-set-for-major-bullish-surge-says-popular-crypto-analyst-as-btc-crosses-100000-ahead-of-trump-inauguration">Read the full article here.</a>



Trump&#8217;s Crypto-Friendly Approach



Reports suggest that Trump is preparing to issue executive orders to create a more favorable environment for cryptocurrency firms. These actions are expected to occur shortly after he assumes office, marking a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for digital assets.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073027/trump-plans-crypto-friendly-executive-orders-in-early-days-of-presidency-report">Read the full article here.</a>



DCG Settles with SEC



Digital Currency Group (DCG) agreed to settle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for misleading investors. DCG and its former executive, Soichiro "Michael" Moro, will collectively pay $38.5 million to the SEC to resolve charges related to providing false information about the financial state of Genesis Global Capital.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43072974/crypto-firm-dcg-settle-with-sec-for-385m-over-misleading-investors">Read the full article here.</a>



Altcoins&#8217; Bullish Signal



As Bitcoin surpasses the $100,000 mark, a crypto analytics firm has observed a bullish signal for altcoins. The firm noted a significant increase in whale transactions for several altcoin projects, suggesting that investors might soon use these stablecoins to acquire altcoins.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073101/altcoins-flash-bullish-signal-amid-bitcoins-surge-says-research-firm">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073132/cathie-wood-is-betting-big-on-this-ai-darling-and-no-its-not-nvidia">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Is Betting Big On This AI Darling And No It&#8217;s Not Nvidia</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 Expected Executive Orders, Bitcoin's Bullish Surge, And More: This Week In Crypto

The past week has been a whirlwind for&nbsp;Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), with stories ranging from personal anecdotes by CEO Tim Cook to potential shifts in the company&#8217;s credit card partnerships. Here&#8217;s a quick recap of the top five stories that made headlines.



Apple Watch to the Rescue



In a podcast interview, Apple CEO Cook revealed how the Apple Watch saved his father&#8217;s life. The device&#8217;s fall detection feature alerted emergency services when Cook&#8217;s father fell at home, leading to a timely intervention. Despite the positive outcome, Cook&#8217;s father was reportedly more upset about the door that had to be broken down by the emergency services.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43072685/tim-cook-reveals-apple-watch-saved-his-fathers-life-by-alerting-emergency-services-but-his-father-more-upset-because-of-this">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s Credit Card Partner Shuffle



Apple is reportedly in talks with&nbsp;Barclays Plc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BCS#NYSE">BCS</a>)&nbsp;and Synchrony Financial to replace Goldman Sachs as its credit card partner. The discussions have been ongoing for several months, but a final deal may still take time.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/43019382/apple-eyes-barclays-and-synchrony-to-replace-goldman-sachs-as-credit-card-partner-report">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s Declining Market Share in China



Apple&#8217;s market share in China is reportedly on the decline, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The decrease in iPhone shipments and the cautious approach to 2025 iPhone production plans are cited as reasons for this decline.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42931758/apple-staring-at-market-share-decline-in-china-amid-declining-iphone-shipments-top-analyst-flags-why-some-models-could-be-face-shipping-momentum-challenges">Read the full article here.</a>



Zuckerberg&#8217;s Criticism of Apple&#8217;s Innovation



Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)&nbsp;CEO Mark Zuckerberg criticized Apple for its lack of innovation and restrictive policies. He suggested that Apple&#8217;s potential downfall could be imminent if it doesn&#8217;t adapt to the rapidly changing industry.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931722/steve-jobs-invented-the-iphone-and-now-theyre-justsitting-on-it-mark-zuckerberg-hints-at-apples-potential-downfall-amid-iphone-makers-random-rules">Read the full article here.</a>



Apple&#8217;s Stock Upside



A new analysis by Bank of America suggests that Apple&#8217;s manufacturing costs for its latest iPhone lineup could bolster the company&#8217;s margins. The study reveals significant cost reductions in Pro models and highlights the company&#8217;s strategic pricing approach across its product range.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43021026/apple-stock-has-moved-up-4-2-since-iphone-16-launched-analyst-says-it-has-another-8-upside-as-manufacturing-cost-decline-bolsters-cupertinos-margins">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073132/cathie-wood-is-betting-big-on-this-ai-darling-and-no-its-not-nvidia">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Is Betting Big On This AI Darling And No It&#8217;s Not Nvidia</a></li>
</ul>



Photo courtesy: Unsplash



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>

AAPL

Apple Watch Saves Another Life, Credit Card Partnerships, And iPhone Market Share Woes: This Week In Appleverse

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the tech industry. From potential sanctions shaking up the semiconductor sector to controversies surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) companies, the news has been abuzz with developments that could have far-reaching implications. Here&#8217;s a roundup of the top stories that made headlines.



Nvidia&#8217;s $10B Setback and ETFs to Watch



The U.S. semiconductor industry is on tenterhooks as the possibility of further sanctions on AI chip exports to China looms large.&nbsp;Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)&nbsp;recently experienced a significant setback when its major tech clients deferred orders worth billions of dollars. The geopolitical turbulence has investors keeping a close eye on the impact on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to the sector.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43040533/nvidia-10-billion-setback-3-etfs-to-watch-sanctions">Read the full article here.</a>



OpenAI Whistleblower Controversy



The death of former OpenAI engineer Suchir Balaji has sparked a controversy. His mother, Poornima Ramarao, claims that he had sensitive documents about the AI company&#8217;s practices. She alleged in an interview that her son&#8217;s knowledge of OpenAI&#8217;s operations led to his death.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43023088/openai-whistleblower-suchir-balajis-mother-says-her-son-had-documents-against-sam-altmans-ai-startup-elon-musk-calls-it-extremely-concerning">Read the full article here.</a>



Microsoft Launches 365 Copilot Chat



Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)&nbsp;unveiled its AI-powered chat service, 365 Copilot Chat, with a new pay-as-you-go plan. The service, previously known as Bing Chat Enterprise, is designed for businesses and focuses on workflow automation.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43022267/microsoft-launches-new-ai-agents-in-365-copilot-chat-to-drive-widespread-adoption-of-task-automation-tools">Read the full article here.</a>



Broadening Rally in Semiconductors Predicted



Semiconductor analyst Vivek Arya anticipates a surprising broadening rally in semiconductors in 2025. He predicts a growing divide between AI haves and cyclical have-nots. However, Arya also points out several unresolved issues for the sector, including global tariffs, rising inflation, and China restrictions.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42961753/analyst-sees-broadening-rally-in-semis-coming-in-2025-2-top-stock-picks-and-2-to-avoid">Read the full article here.</a>



Zuckerberg and Huang on Quantum Computing



Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>)&nbsp;CEO Mark Zuckerberg agrees with&nbsp;Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang&#8217;s cautious outlook on quantum computing. Zuckerberg believes that the technology is still years away from practical implementation, echoing the industry consensus of a decade-long timeline for widespread quantum computing adoption.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42936751/mark-zuckerberg-backs-nvidia-ceo-jensen-huangs-view-on-quantum-computing-its-still-quite-a-ways-off">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073132/cathie-wood-is-betting-big-on-this-ai-darling-and-no-its-not-nvidia">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Is Betting Big On This AI Darling And No It&#8217;s Not Nvidia</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>

MSFT

NVDA

Nvidia's $10 Billion Setback, OpenAI Controversy, And Microsoft's AI Chat Launch: This Week In Artificial Intelligence

The week has been a rollercoaster ride in the world of economics and finance. From the U.S. dollar&#8217;s status as the world&#8217;s reserve currency to the surge in oil prices, there&#8217;s a lot to catch up on. Let&#8217;s dive into the top stories that made headlines.



Scott Bessent: Dollar Must Remain &#8216;World&#8217;s Reserve Currency&#8217;



President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s Treasury pick,&nbsp;Scott Bessent, has pledged to uphold the U.S. dollar&#8217;s status as the world&#8217;s reserve currency. During his prepared testimony, Bessent emphasized the importance of productive investment over wasteful spending and the need to secure supply chains. He also highlighted the careful use of sanctions to meet national security needs.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43021014/trumps-treasury-pick-scott-bessent-urges-dollar-must-remain-worlds-reserve-currency-as-president-elect-reportedly-pushes-for-strategic-bitcoin-reserve">Read the full article here.</a>



5% Yields Fuel Demand For Long-Dated Treasury ETFs



Despite persistent bond market losses and rising macro uncertainties, the allure of 5% yields is driving investor inflows into long-dated Treasury ETFs. Last week, iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TLT#NASDAQ">TLT</a>) saw a staggering $1.5 billion in inflows.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42990155/5-yields-fuel-demand-treasury-etfs-despite-bond-market-pain-relief-rally">Read the full article here.</a>



Oil Prices Break $80, Reach 6-Month Highs



Oil prices surged this week, with West Texas Intermediate light crude rising about 4% to above $80 per barrel for the first time since mid-July 2024. This rally comes despite the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza after a devastating 15-month war.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43017610/oil-prices-break-80-reach-6-month-highs-despite-israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal-why-is-crude-rallying">Read the full article here.</a>



China&#8217;s Economy Poised To Overtake US By 2035



Chinese economist Justin Lin Yifu reaffirmed his 31-year-old prediction that China's economy will surpass that of the U.S. within the next five to 10 years. He believes that U.S. economic growth has decelerated along with the sluggish growth in China&#8217;s annual gross domestic product.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42973023/chinas-economy-poised-to-overtake-us-by-2035-says-top-chinese-economist-who-made-the-bold-prediction-1994">Read the full article here.</a>



Ray Dalio Warns US Could &#8216;Go Broke&#8217; As Debt Soars



Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warned that the United States could "go broke" due to mounting government debt problems. The U.S. currently accounts for 34.6% of global debt, which stands at $102 trillion. Dalio&#8217;s warning comes as U.S. debt has surged past $36 trillion, with interest payments exceeding $892 billion in fiscal year 2024.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42965859/ray-dalio-warns-us-could-go-broke-as-debt-soars-urges-action-to-avert-crisis">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073132/cathie-wood-is-betting-big-on-this-ai-darling-and-no-its-not-nvidia">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Is Betting Big On This AI Darling And No It&#8217;s Not Nvidia</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>

US Dollar, Treasury ETFs, Oil Prices, China's Economy, And Ray Dalio's US Debt Warning: This Week In Economics

A benign December inflation report was all it took to ignite another strong rally on Wall Street, with major indices delivering their best weekly performance since the post-election <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43064144/wall-street-roars-ahead-of-trumps-inauguration-intel-rallies-bitcoin-tops-105000-whats-driving-markets-friday">surge in early November.</a>



Heading into the week, markets were gripped by concerns over inflation and interest rates, pricing in just one rate cut by year-end while the 30-year Treasury <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42990155/5-yields-fuel-demand-treasury-etfs-despite-bond-market-pain-relief-rally">yield hovered around 5%.</a>



Fresh data showed inflation rising for the third straight month up to 2.9%, yet right in line with forecasts. A softer core reading — excluding food and energy — gave traders hope that the Fed might cut rates at <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/43003047/stocks-rise-on-core-inflation-slowdown-banks-rally-after-strong-q4-earnings-treasury-yields-plummet">least twice this year.</a>



Adding fuel to the bull run, major banks kicked off the fourth-quarter 2024 earnings season with blowout results.



Financial stocks — as tracked by the Financials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>) — jumped 6% for the week, their best <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/01/43007354/big-banks-crush-q4-earnings-forecasts-financial-stocks-set-for-biggest-1-day-rally-since-trumps-election">rally since October 2023.</a> Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) led the charge among big players, surging 11% to hit record highs.



In commodities, oil briefly touched $80 per barrel before retreating after the approval of a ceasefire deal in Gaza <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/01/43055426/oil-dips-as-israeli-security-cabinet-approves-gaza-ceasefire-yet-experts-warn-red-sea-risks-persist">between Israel and Hamas.</a>



In cryptocurrency markets, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) continues to defy gravity, surpassing $100,000, fueled by optimism over crypto-friendly policies under the incoming Donald Trump administration.



Trump will officially take office as the 47th U.S. president on Monday.



You might have missed&#8230;



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Bessent&#8217;s Economic Vision</h1>



Scott Bessent, Trump's Treasury secretary nominee, laid out his economic agenda before the Senate, emphasizing tax cuts, deregulation, energy expansion and tougher trade policies — particularly targeting <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43041207/5-things-investors-need-to-know-about-scott-bessents-economic-policies-as-he-faces-senate-grilling-for-treasury-job">China, Russia and Iran.</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Bitcoin Reserve Talks</h1>



Reports suggest Trump is open to the idea of a U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve, a move that could reshape fiscal policy and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/25/01/43035888/donald-trump-reportedly-open-to-us-crypto-reserve-as-bitcoin-reserve-chatter-gathers-steam">spark industrywide debate.</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Detroit EV Surge</h1>



Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) and General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) reported a sharp rise in electric vehicle sales, with the Mustang Mach-E and Cadillac Lyriq emerging <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/42978236/us-electric-vehicle-sales-hit-record-1-3-million-units-in-2024-despite-tesla-declines-top-10-bestselling-models-list">as top sellers in 2024.</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TikTok Ban Upheld</h1>



The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law forcing ByteDance to sell the TikTok app by Jan. 19 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43060894/supreme-court-upholds-tiktok-ban-ahead-of-trumps-inauguration">over national security concerns.</a> Trump could attempt to roll back the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43018125/trump-considers-executive-order-to-save-tiktok-from-being-banned-in-4-days">ban after taking office.</a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43062563/imf-lifts-us-growth-outlook-betting-markets-raise-odds-on-trump-led-economic-boom">IMF Lifts US Growth Outlook, Betting Markets Raise Odds On Trump-Led Economic Boom</a></li>
</ul>



Photo: Shutterstock

Wall Street Rallies As Inflation Fears Recede, Banks Smash Earnings, Bitcoin Reclaims $100,000: This Week In The Markets

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, with&nbsp;Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>)&nbsp;at the center of the action. The company saw a surge in Cybertruck sales, but this success came at the expense of its luxury Model S and X sales. Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk denied the company&#8217;s involvement in a fire at a power plant, and rival Jeff Bezos expressed confidence in the competitive landscape of the commercial space industry.



Cybertruck Success Overshadows Tesla&#8217;s Luxury Models



Tesla&#8217;s Cybertruck sales in the U.S. last year weighed heavily on the company&#8217;s other luxury offerings, including the Model S sedan and the Model X SUV, according to recent data from automotive research firm Kelley Blue Book. Tesla sold nearly 39,000 Cybertrucks in 2024, but Model S and X sales took a major hit, dropping 31% and 20% respectively.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42967593/cybertruck-sales-rise-in-2024-weighed-down-on-tesla-model-s-deliveries-in-us-shows-data">Read the full article here.</a>



Musk Denies Tesla&#8217;s Involvement in Power Plant Fire



Tesla Musk denied the company's involvement in a fire that broke out at a 750 MW Moss Landing battery storage facility. Musk stated that the fire had nothing to do with Tesla and that their Megapacks were operating well.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43050342/elon-musk-denies-teslas-involvement-in-fire-at-moss-landing-power-plant-in-monterey-county">Read the full article here.</a>



Bezos Confident Despite SpaceX&#8217;s Close Ties to Trump



Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) founder Bezos voiced confidence in the competitive landscape of the commercial space industry, despite President-elect Donald Trump‘s close ties with rival Elon Musk‘s SpaceX. Bezos stated that he takes Musk at face value, dismissing concerns about SpaceX undercutting Blue Origin.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/01/42937555/jeff-bezos-says-he-takes-elon-musk-at-face-value-despite-his-close-ties-to-trump-dismisses-concerns-about-spacex-undercutting-blue-origin">Read the full article here.</a>



Record High U.S. EV Sales in 2024



The U.S. automotive industry saw a record number of electric vehicles sold in 2024, with over 1.3 million units sold, breaking last year&#8217;s record with a 7.3% year-over-year increase. This record was achieved despite some weakness from sector leader Tesla.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/01/42978236/us-electric-vehicle-sales-hit-record-1-3-million-units-in-2024-despite-tesla-declines-top-10-bestselling-models-list">Read the full article here.</a>



Rivian Joins Tesla, Ford in Wildfire Relief Efforts



California-based EV startup Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) joined Tesla and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) in supporting relief activities in the Los Angeles area battling wildfires. Rivian deployed vehicles to transport relief supplies and support emergency response.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42994308/rivian-joins-ford-tesla-in-supporting-relief-efforts-amid-california-wildfires">Read the full article here.</a>



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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073132/cathie-wood-is-betting-big-on-this-ai-darling-and-no-its-not-nvidia">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Is Betting Big On This AI Darling And No It&#8217;s Not Nvidia</a></li>
</ul>



Image credit: Dall-E 3



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>

AMZN

RIVN

Tesla's Mixed Bag, Musk's Fire Denial, Jeff Bezos' Confidence, And Rivian's Relief Efforts: This Week In Mobility

The week has been a whirlwind of events, with President Joe Biden warning of a potential tech oligarchy, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) extending support to wildfire-stricken California, Mary Trump criticizing her uncle&#8217;s wildfire comments, Steve Bannon targeting Elon Musk, and a significant shift in cannabis policy. Let&#8217;s dive into the details.



Biden&#8217;s Tech Oligarchy Warning



President Joe Biden, in his farewell speech, expressed concerns about the emergence of a tech oligarchy that could pose significant threats to the country. The President&#8217;s warning has sparked a debate, with figures like Bernie Sanders and Kevin O&#8217;Leary holding contrasting views on the role of America&#8217;s wealthiest individuals.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43046693/biden-warns-of-musk-bezos-zuckerberg-oligarchy-but-is-he-to-blame-mark-cuban-says-president-pushed-them-all-into-the-arms-of-trump">Read the full article here.</a>



Tesla&#8217;s Support for California Amid Wildfires



Despite his feud with Gavin Newsom, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the company will delay Cybertruck deliveries in California to aid in wildfire relief efforts. The trucks will be used to power Starlink internet terminals in areas that have lost connectivity due to the fires.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/01/42939786/despite-elon-musks-feud-with-gavin-newsom-tesla-rolls-out-support-for-california-amid-wildfires-with-cybertrucks-starlink-and-megapack-chargers">Read the full article here.</a>



Mary Trump&#8217;s Blast at Uncle&#8217;s Wildfire Comments



Mary Trump, President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s estranged niece, has criticized her uncle&#8217;s controversial comments on the ongoing wildfires in southern California. The fires have led to the death of at least 16 people and the evacuation of over 153,000 residents.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935659/mary-trump-blasts-uncle-over-wildfire-comments-if-donald-trump-can-profit-from-your-death-he-will-facilitate-it">Read the full article here.</a>



Steve Bannon&#8217;s Attack on Elon Musk



Steve Bannon, former adviser to the Trump White House, has vowed to expel Elon Musk from the MAGA movement, labeling him as &#8220;truly evil&#8221;. Bannon&#8217;s threat comes despite Musk&#8217;s substantial financial support to President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s return to the White House.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42935180/steve-bannon-targets-elon-musk-pledges-to-expel-him-from-maga-movement-he-is-a-truly-evil-guy">Read the full article here.</a>



Shift in Cannabis Policy



The National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) and the U.S. Cannabis Council (USCC) have announced a merger, aiming to represent the cannabis industry more effectively. The newly formed U.S. Cannabis Roundtable will address the 119th Congress and the incoming Trump administration, representing businesses operating in 38 states.



<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/01/43042694/president-trumps-endorsement-represents-a-sea-change-in-cannabis-policy-says-trulieve-ceo-as-advocacy-groups-join-forces">Read the full article here.</a>



Read Next:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43073132/cathie-wood-is-betting-big-on-this-ai-darling-and-no-its-not-nvidia">Cathie Wood&#8217;s Ark Invest Is Betting Big On This AI Darling And No It&#8217;s Not Nvidia</a></li>
</ul>



Photos 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>

General

Biden's Tech Oligarchy Warning, Tesla's Wildfire Support, Bannon's Musk Attack, And Cannabis Policy Shift: This Week In Politics

Washington state has taken legal action against&nbsp;T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMUS#NASDAQ">TMUS</a>) for&nbsp;allegedly neglecting cybersecurity vulnerabilities, leading to a significant data breach in 2021 that impacted <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931807/t-mobile-sued-over-massive-data-breach-impacting-79-million-americans-sensitive-information-included-names-addresses-and-more" rel="noreferrer noopener">79 million people across the U.S</a>.



Social Media &amp; Smartphones



President-elect&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;is considering issuing an executive order aimed at rescuing&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;from being banned from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/43018125/trump-considers-executive-order-to-save-tiktok-from-being-banned-in-4-days" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. app&nbsp;stores in four days</a>.&nbsp;



The potential ban of TikTok could impact the app's nearly 17,000 employees in the U.S., <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42997566/tiktok-is-set-to-be-banned-in-the-us-this-sunday-unless-the-supreme-court-steps-in-heres-what-happens-to-its-nearly-17000-american-workforce" rel="noreferrer noopener">sparking a wave of uncertainty</a>.



Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as&nbsp;MrBeast, is in talks with several billionaires about potentially acquiring&nbsp;TikTok to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/01/42994923/mrbeast-discussing-buying-tiktok-with-billionaires-to-prevent-us-shutdown-lets-see-if-we-can-pull-this-off" rel="noreferrer noopener">prevent its shutdown in the U.S</a>.



Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) investor&nbsp;Gary Black&nbsp;has expressed concerns about&nbsp;Elon Musk&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43019833/elon-musk-buying-tiktok-could-hurt-tesla-warns-gary-black-but-dan-ives-thinks-it-makes-sense" rel="noreferrer noopener">acquiring TikTok&#8217;s U.S. operations</a>.



Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) is experiencing a drop in its market share in China. This decline is attributed to a decrease in iPhone shipments, as reported by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42931758/apple-staring-at-market-share-decline-in-china-amid-declining-iphone-shipments-top-analyst-flags-why-some-models-could-be-face-shipping-momentum-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supply chain analyst </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42931758/apple-staring-at-market-share-decline-in-china-amid-declining-iphone-shipments-top-analyst-flags-why-some-models-could-be-face-shipping-momentum-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ming-Chi Kuo</a>.



Technology



Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>)&nbsp;launched&nbsp;365 Copilot Chat, its AI-powered chat service with AI agents and a new pay-as-you-go plan. The company has rebranded its AI chat service, formerly known as&nbsp;Bing Chat Enterprise, under a new plan named <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43022267/microsoft-launches-new-ai-agents-in-365-copilot-chat-to-drive-widespread-adoption-of-task-automation-tools" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat</a>.



As Southern California battles severe wildfires,&nbsp;NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>)&nbsp;researcher&nbsp;Jim Fan&nbsp;emphasized the potential of AI-powered robots in managing such disasters, stating that artificial intelligence could <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/42946197/nvidias-ai-robots-may-revolutionize-firefighting-amid-california-wildfires" rel="noreferrer noopener">significantly aid firefighting efforts</a>.



An internal memo from&nbsp;Meta Platforms Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) has unveiled a strategy to implement&nbsp;performance-based job cuts. The memo indicates that Meta aims to achieve a 10% "non-regrettable attrition" rate by the end of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/42995912/meta-plans-to-cut-5-of-staff-backfill-roles-in-2025-says-internal-memo" rel="noreferrer noopener">the current performance cycle</a>.



Meta Platforms has admitted that officials from the Biden administration have been exerting pressure on Meta staff to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931361/mark-zuckerberg-says-biden-officials-berated-meta-staff-as-they-refused-to-remove-true-content-it-just-got-to-this-pointthats-ridiculous" rel="noreferrer noopener">remove specific content from the platform</a>.



Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HPE#NYSE">HPE</a>) has reportedly secured&nbsp;a deal worth over $1&nbsp;billion to supply&nbsp;servers optimized for artificial intelligence to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931833/hewlett-packard-enterprise-strikes-1b-ai-server-deal-with-elon-musks-x-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42931833/hewlett-packard-enterprise-strikes-1b-ai-server-deal-with-elon-musks-x-report" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘s social media platform, X</a>.



Artificial Intelligence (AI)



On Tuesday,&nbsp;OpenAI&nbsp;announced the introduction of a beta feature named &#8220;Tasks&#8221; for&nbsp;ChatGPT. The &#8220;Tasks&#8221; feature allows ChatGPT users to schedule future tasks, such as setting reminders for events or arranging regular <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42993561/is-openais-chatgpt-about-to-make-amazons-alexa-apples-siri-and-google-assistant-a-thing-of-the-past" rel="noreferrer noopener">updates like daily weather forecasts</a>.



A former&nbsp;OpenAI&nbsp;engineer's death has sparked controversy after his mother claimed he possessed sensitive documents about the artificial intelligence company's practices.&nbsp;Suchir Balaji, who had worked with&nbsp;Sam Altman‘s AI company, was found dead in his San Francisco apartment <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/01/43023088/openai-whistleblower-suchir-balajis-mother-says-her-son-had-documents-against-sam-altmans-ai-startup-elon-musk-calls-it-extremely-concerning" rel="noreferrer noopener">in&nbsp;what authorities ruled a suicide</a>.

Equities

Large Cap

TMUS

Consumer Tech News (Jan 13-17): Meta Plans Performance Based Job Cuts, Youtuber MrBeast Aims To Buy TikTok To Prevent Shutdown & More

These eleven large-cap stocks were the worst performers in the last week. Are they in your portfolio?



<ol>
<li>FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FTAI#NASDAQ">FTAI</a>) shares plummeted 35.42% after short seller firm Muddy Waters Research announced they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43040046" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">initiated a short position in the company</a>.</li>



<li>Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>) stock plunged 19.38% after the company updated its 2025 expected revenue range to $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion, below <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42946454" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst estimates of $2.951 billion</a>. Morgan Stanley maintained an Equal-Weight rating and lowered the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/mrna/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">price forecast from $70 to $38</a>.</li>



<li>GameStop Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) stock declined 14.86%. In a recent X post, CNBC's Jim Cramer <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43053808" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">steered investors toward</a> quantum stocks, suggesting they reinvest gains from GameStop into Rigetti Computing Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RGTI#NASDAQ">RGTI</a>).</li>



<li>Snap Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>) shares dipped 12.91% following a report suggesting that Trump is considering an executive order to save TikTok from a U.S. ban.</li>



<li>Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RKLB#NASDAQ">RKLB</a>) shares were down 10.81%. The company disclosed that its second Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries, Inc. is<a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43028933" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> successfully operating in orbit</a>.</li>



<li>Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTRA#NASDAQ">NTRA</a>) stock lost 9.51% last week despite Guggenheim <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ntra/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raising the price forecast</a> from $170 to $200. The company is due to provide a roadmap and outlook at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.</li>



<li>Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) stock decreased 9.27%  after the company issued FY24 revenue guidance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42976923" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">below the previous estimate</a>.</li>



<li>ICON plc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ICLR#NASDAQ">ICLR</a>) stock fell 9.22% after the company issued FY25 guidance with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42971328" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its midpoint below estimates</a>.</li>



<li>BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNTX#NASDAQ">BNTX</a>) shares declined 8.89% after Moderna issued 2025 revenue <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42951363" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guidance below analyst estimates</a>.</li>



<li>Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) shares fell 8.89% after Ozempic and Wegovy were included in a list of 15 medications for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/43062779" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medicare drug price negotiations</a>.</li>



<li>BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BMRN#NASDAQ">BMRN</a>) shares tumbled 8.68%. The company initiated a legal action against Ascendis Pharma A/S for infringement of European patent EP 3 175 863 B1 at the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/42953403" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unified Patent Court (UPC) in Munich, Germany</a>.</li>
</ol>



Photos courtesy: Shutterstock

Short Sellers

Movers

BMRN

BNTX

FTAI

ICLR

MRNA

NTRA

RGTI

RKLB

SNAP

Moderna, GameStop And Snap Are Among Top Large-Cap Losers Last Week (Jan 13-Jan 17): Are The Others In Your Portfolio?

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