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Viral TikTok videos are using doctored clips from "Shark Tank" to falsely portray billionaire investor Mark Cuban endorsing products sold through TikTok Shop — and the billionaire is not amused.
What Happened: A new investigation by news rating group NewsGuard found that several TikTok accounts have spliced together footage from different "Shark Tank" episodes to make it appear as if Cuban endorsed products like Neuro Gum and BoomBoom nasal inhalers.
In one viral example, a video edited Cuban's $30 million offer to dating app Coffee Meets Bagel into a clip promoting Neuro Gum.
The manipulated video garnered over 9.6 million views, said the report.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44914220/mark-cuban-once-revealed-a-childhood-habit-that-his-automobile-upholsterer-father-was-happy-about-i-dont-understand-what-youre-doing-but-im-glad-youre-doing-it">Mark Cuban Once Revealed A Childhood Habit That His Automobile Upholsterer Father Was Happy About: &#8216;I Don&#8217;t Understand What You&#8217;re Doing, But I&#8217;m Glad You&#8217;re Doing It&#8217;</a>
Another TikTok falsely depicted Cuban endorsing BoomBoom in a conversation with Kevin Hart by replacing his real comment about Spikeball with the altered audio, &#8220;BoomBoom.&#8221;
"These faked videos, which racked up millions of views, purport to show investor Mark Cuban endorsing or investing in the products," NewsGuard reported.
Cuban told the outlet in response, "It's messed up. I spend too much time reporting this stuff to the [Federal Trade Commission]. I hope they get busted."
TikTok confirmed to the publication that it removed the flagged content for violating its policies, stating that it does not allow misleading use of public figures, including fake endorsements.
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.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">TikTok accounts are deceptively repurposing footage from "Shark Tank" — including fake Mark Cuban endorsements — to create misleading promotions of TikTok Shop products, in an apparent effort to boost sales and earn commissions. Read it in Reality Check: <a href="https://t.co/4HV02w3RFG">https://t.co/4HV02w3RFG</a>
&mdash; NewsGuard (@NewsGuardRating) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsGuardRating/status/1923438745514024976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Why It&#8217;s Important: In a similar incident, back in 2022, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) filed legal actions in Italy, Spain and the U.S. as part of a global <a href="https://benzinga.com/news/22/10/29356774/amazon-takes-legal-action-against-fake-review-brokers">crackdown on fake review brokers</a>, targeting over 11,000 websites and social media groups involved in posting fake reviews for money or free products.
Meanwhile, on Friday, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/05/45472538/mark-cuban-bids-farewell-to-shark-tank-how-to-watch-finale-and-whats-next-for-hit-show">Cuban bid farewell</a> to the hit reality investing show &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; as Season 16 wraps up. The Shark currently has a net worth of $8.20 billion, ranking him 391st on Bloomberg's Billionaire <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/">Index</a>.
Reports indicate that Cuban had invested over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/11/35988212/mark-cuban-to-exit-shark-tank-reflects-on-his-worst-deal-and-surprise-success-shared-with-benzinga">$20 million across at least 85 companies</a> during his time on the show. Among his most successful deals were investments in brands like Dude Wipes, BeatBox Beverages, Tower Paddle Boards and Nuts ‘N More.
However, Cuban also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/03/44367926/mark-cuban-kevin-oleary-rejected-poppi-on-shark-tank-pepsi-just-paid-1-9-billion-to-acquire-company">passed on some opportunities</a> that later soared in value, most notably Mother Beverage, which rebranded as Poppi and was later acquired by PepsiCo for $1.9 billion.
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/general/education/25/04/44778714/mark-cuban-wants-employees-who-complement-him-these-are-the-two-skills-he-looks-for" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Wants Employees Who ‘Complement' Him: These Are The Two Skills He Looks For</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.
Photo Courtesy: Kathy Hutchins On Shutterstock.com

News

Tech

Media

AMZN

Mark Cuban Slams Viral TikTok Scammers For Faking Shark Tank Endorsements To Sell Products: 'It's Messed Up...I Hope They Get Busted'

The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly considering a non-prosecution agreement that would allow Boeing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) to avoid criminal <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44488310/boeing-faces-the-deadliest-corporate-crime-trial-as-judge-sets-june-date-in-737-max-fraud-case">charges tied to two fatal</a> 737 Max crashes, prompting outrage from victims' relatives.
What Happened: On Friday, prosecutors and attorneys representing families of the 346 people killed in the 2018 and 2019 crashes met to discuss resolving the case without bringing Boeing to trial, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/5ebad172-5d02-4693-a1e7-189cc5d4a6c8">reported</a> the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Under the proposed deal, Boeing would pay roughly $444.5 million to victims' families in exchange for the DOJ declining to prosecute.
Boeing did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment. 
Erin Applebaum, a lawyer representing the families, decried the proposal. "This isn't justice. It's a backroom deal dressed up as a legal proceeding," she said. "While DoJ claims no final decision has been made, their scripted presentation made it clear that the outcome has already been decided."
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45481170/as-tesla-stock-witnesses-nearly-45-surge-in-one-month-elon-musk-asks-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-hows-your-day-bro">Elon Musk Takes A Swipe At Minnesota Governor Tim Walz As TSLA Stock Surges 45% In One Month: &#8216;How&#8217;s Your Day, Bro?&#8217;</a>
A trial date of June 23 remains on the calendar, but Boeing has made plain it will not plead guilty. No final decision has been made, said one person close to the negotiations.
Why It's Important: Boeing agreed last July to plead guilty to a single count of fraudulently misleading regulators about the Max's flight-control software, but a federal judge rejected that plea deal over concerns about corporate monitorship provisions.
A non-prosecution agreement would mark the second time Boeing escaped full criminal liability in this matter, the report said. In 2021, the DOJ first deferred prosecution after Boeing paid $2.5 billion.
This latest development came after President Donald Trump unveiled a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44488310/boeing-faces-the-deadliest-corporate-crime-trial-as-judge-sets-june-date-in-737-max-fraud-case">$1.2 trillion economic agreement</a> with Qatar, featuring major deals in aviation, defense, energy and technology. A key highlight was Qatar Airways&#8217; record $96 billion order with Boeing and GE Aerospace.
China has also reportedly resumed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45368534/china-greenlights-boeing-jet-arrivals-again-as-90-day-tariff-pause-with-us-brings-relief">accepting Boeing aircraft deliveries</a> after a month-long pause as both Washington and Beijing work to ease tensions.
Price Action: Boeing shares slipped 0.20% during Friday's regular trading session, closing at $205.82, and fell another 1.72% after hours to $202.28. Despite the recent dip, the stock has climbed 11.28% over the past year, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Boeing currently holds a 12.20% growth score on Benzinga's Edge Rankings. Curious how it stacks up against other aviation giants? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here for the full comparison</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/17023430/Screenshot-2025-05-17-at-12.04.25%E2%80%AFPM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-918647" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45463905/tesla-futurist-brian-wang-doubles-down-on-1000-price-target-bets-big-on-ai-and-robotaxis-few-technical-resistance-levels-then-its-all-time-highs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Futurist Brian Wang Doubles Down On $1,000 Price Target, Bets Big On AI And Robotaxis: ‘Few Technical Resistance Levels…Then It's All-Time Highs'</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by BlueBarronPhoto via Shutterstock

Legal

General

Boeing May Reportedly Once Again Dodge Prosecution Over 737 Max Crashes — Victims' Families Slam DOJ's Potential Agreement As 'Backroom Deal Dressed Up As A Legal Proceeding'

A new federal lawsuit alleged that Tesla Inc.CEO Elon Musk's America PAC failed to compensate voters in swing states who were promised $100 for signing and referring others to sign a political petition.
What Happened: Last week, three voters from key swing states filed a proposed national class action lawsuit against Musk and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/03/44276820/elon-musk-reportedly-pledges-100-million-to-trump-linked-political-groups-amid-billion-dollar-losses-in-his-net-worth">his America PAC</a>, accusing them of breaching a promise to pay petition signers in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/05/16/elon-musk-america-pac-lawsuit-petition-signature-payments-2024-presidential-election/">reported</a> Fortune.
In October 2024, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41199734/elon-musk-founded-pac-offers-47-for-every-successful-referral-to-petition-show-support-for-free-spee">the PAC offered $47</a>—and later $100—to registered voters in seven states who signed a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. Participants were also offered additional compensation for referring others.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45481170/as-tesla-stock-witnesses-nearly-45-surge-in-one-month-elon-musk-asks-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-hows-your-day-bro">Elon Musk Takes A Swipe At Minnesota Governor Tim Walz As TSLA Stock Surges 45% In One Month: &#8216;How&#8217;s Your Day, Bro?&#8217;</a>
"This case is about a broken promise," said attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan of Lichten &amp; Liss-Riordan, the firm representing the plaintiffs. "Our clients relied on that promise because they believed in Elon, but unfortunately, that promise was not kept."
The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, claims that over 100 people may be owed a collective $5 million or more. One prior lawsuit by a Pennsylvania man alleged America PAC failed to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44885879/elon-musks-100-per-signature-offer-sparks-5-million-lawsuit-canvasser-says-he-relied-on-these-payments-to-pay-his-bills-but-they-never-came">pay him $20,000 in referral bonuses</a>.
Why It's Important: America PAC, which reportedly raised over $200 million for Donald Trump's campaign, has previously denied wrongdoing, the report added.
Spokesperson Andrew Romeo in April <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/01/politics/elon-musk-lawsuit-2024-voter-mobilization-efforts?cid=ios_app">told</a> CNN, "America PAC is committed to paying for every legitimate petition signature… evidenced by the fact that we have paid tens of millions of dollars to canvassers for their hard work in support of our mission."
Tesla did not immediately respond to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga's</a> request for comments.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45463905/tesla-futurist-brian-wang-doubles-down-on-1000-price-target-bets-big-on-ai-and-robotaxis-few-technical-resistance-levels-then-its-all-time-highs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla Futurist Brian Wang Doubles Down On $1,000 Price Target, Bets Big On AI And Robotaxis: ‘Few Technical Resistance Levels…Then It's All-Time Highs'</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock

Elon Musk Sued For Allegedly Failing To Pay Swing State Voters $100 Each For Signing A Petition: 'This Case Is About A Broken Promise'

A new House Republican-backed provision in Donald Trump-backed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/05/45345409/trumps-big-beautiful-bill-banks-on-huge-medicaid-cuts-as-its-cost-saving-centerpiece-see-who-risks-losing-coverage-under-the-gop-proposal">"big, beautiful" bill</a> reportedly aims to block state and local governments from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade — and it's already sparking fierce backlash.
What Happened: Tucked into a sweeping GOP tax package, the clause states that "no state or political subdivision may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems," <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/05/16/trump-tax-bill-could-ai-regulation-states-republicans-gop-congress/">reported</a> Fortune.
Supporters argue it's about avoiding regulatory chaos. "AI doesn't understand state borders," said Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). "You can't have a patchwork of 50 states."
Previously, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also appeared to echo this sentiment. "One federal framework, that is light touch, that we can understand and that lets us move with the speed that this moment calls for seems important and fine," he said <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/05/45312650/sam-altman-tells-congress-us-must-pursue-sensible-regulation-avoid-silly-mistake-to-stay-ahead-of-china-in-ai-race-its-hard-to-say-how-far-ahead-we-are">during a Senate hearing last week</a>.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://benzinga.com/news/25/04/45090231/elon-musk-says-will-come-as-a-surprise-to-most-as-chinas-economy-surpasses-us-and-eu-amid-rising-tariffs-and" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Says Will Come As A ‘Surprise To Most&#8217; As China&#8217;s Economy Surpasses US And EU Amid Rising Tariffs And Growing Recession Fears</a>
However, critics warn the bill would halt important local protections. California state Sen. Scott Wiener called the proposal "truly gross," writing on social media, "Congress is incapable of meaningful AI regulation… while also banning states from acting."
A bipartisan group of state attorneys general also voiced concern. "Instead of stepping up with real solutions, Congress wants to tie our hands," said South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, a Republican, the report noted.
Why It's Important: On Friday, House Republicans failed to advance Trump&#8217;s massive tax and spending bill, revealing internal disagreements, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2jxn8m88ro">reported</a> BBC.
Despite Trump's plea on social media for lawmakers to "stop talking and get it done," some Republicans opposed the bill, arguing it didn't go far enough in reducing government spending.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also previously slammed the budget reconciliation bill, calling it a "death sentence" for millions of Americans.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45071155/mild-recession-is-best-case-outcome-jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Warns Recession Is Best-Case Outcome Of Trump Trade War</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock

Government

Donald Trump-Backed GOP Bill Seeks To Ban States From Regulating AI For 10 Years — Critics Calls It 'Federal Overreach' That Could Backfire

After enduring months of scrutiny over Tesla Inc.'s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) falling stock price, Elon Musk has fired back <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/03/44451467/tim-walz-backtracks-on-tesla-stock-jab-i-was-making-a-joke-after-kevin-olearys-criticism">at a political critic</a> with a jab of his own.
What Happened: On Friday, Tesla shares closed at $349.98, marking a 44.89% surge over the past month and pushing its market cap to $1.12 trillion.
Musk celebrated the rebound on X, formerly Twitter, posting a screenshot of Tesla's chart along with a pointed message to Governor Tim Walz (D-Minn.): "Yo Timmy, how's your day bro?"
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Yo Timmy, how's your day bro? &#x1f921; <a href="https://t.co/etwL4KocIx">https://t.co/etwL4KocIx</a>
&mdash; Kekius Maximus (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1923497002257535407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 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/general/health-care/25/05/45461213/jim-cramer-reacts-as-unitedhealth-denies-report-on-criminal-probe-if-convicted-of-criminal-medicare-fraud" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jim Cramer Reacts As UnitedHealth Denies Report On Criminal Probe—'If Convicted of Criminal Medicare Fraud…'</a>
The quip was a response to Walz's March 18 comment during a Wisconsin event, where he joked, "On the iPhone, they&#8217;ve got that little stock app. I added Tesla to it to give me a little boost during the day — $225 and dropping."
The audience laughed, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44549724/elon-musk-blasts-minnesota-governor-tim-walz-as-a-creep-over-tesla-stock-mockery-says-its-evil-to-celebrate-others-losses">but Musk didn't</a>. At the time, Musk called Walz a "huge j&#x2A;&#x2A;k" and "a creep," criticizing the governor for mocking investors and a U.S. company.
Walz also responded to the backlash, saying, "I was making a joke. These people have no sense of humor."
Why It's Important: Walz, who ran alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race, has been a vocal critic of both Musk and the Donald Trump administration.
Musk emerged as a key figure in Trump's White House during the first 100 days, spearheading major federal budget cuts and layoffs that galvanized Republican support but also sparked public protests, some of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44963440/tesla-takedown-says-protests-are-working-hitting-ev-company-where-it-hurts-the-companys-bottom-line">which were directed at Tesla</a>.
Last month, during <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44937440/tesla-q1-misses-estimates-as-tariff-pressures-weigh-on-outlook-lower-cost-evs-still-on-track">Tesla&#8217;s first-quarter earnings</a> call, Musk announced that he would scale back his involvement with DOGE, <a href="https://benzinga.com/25/04/45031652/trumps-ai-and-crypto-czar-david-sacks-says-musk-isnt-out-of-doge-just-rationing-his-time-at-the-department-as-tesla-stock-surges-24-in-the-past-five-days">limiting his commitment</a> to just one or two days per week going forward.
Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that Tesla&#8217;s board had contacted executive search firms to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/45124373/tesla-board-explored-replacing-elon-musk-as-tesla-ceo-a-month-ago-report">find a replacement for Musk</a>. However, Tesla denied the claim, calling it false and reaffirming its confidence in Musk's leadership.
Price Action: Tesla shares rose 2.09% during Friday's regular session to close at $349.98, before dipping 2.81% after hours to $340.15. Over the past 12 months, the stock has surged 100.17%, according to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro data</a>.
Benzinga's Edge Rankings gives TSLA a 45.37% growth score. Wondering how it compares to other EV giants? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">Click here for the full breakdown</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-2#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img decoding="async" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/16230231/Screenshot-2025-05-17-at-8.32.16%E2%80%AFAM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-918579" /></a></figure>
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/05/45463905/tesla-futurist-brian-wang-doubles-down-on-1000-price-target-bets-big-on-ai-and-robotaxis-few-technical-resistance-levels-then-its-all-time-highs">Tesla Futurist Brian Wang Doubles Down On $1,000 Price Target, Bets Big On AI And Robotaxis: &#8216;Few Technical Resistance Levels&#8230;Then It&#8217;s All-Time Highs&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Markets

TSLA

Elon Musk Takes A Swipe At Minnesota Governor Tim Walz As TSLA Stock Surges 45% In One Month: 'How's Your Day, Bro?'

President Donald Trump has offered to travel to China to meet with President Xi Jinping.
What Happened: In an interview with Fox News aired on Friday, Trump was asked if he wanted to speak with Xi on a foreign trip. In response, he said, "I would certainly," adding that the relationship between the two countries is "important," <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-16/trump-says-he-s-willing-to-travel-to-china-for-xi-meeting">reported</a> Bloomberg.
Earlier this week, the President had also hinted that the two leaders could speak by phone following a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45367206/sp-500-rallies-over-3-on-us-china-90-day-tariff-truce-but-experts-warn-it-doesnt-guarantee-a-complete-resolution-of-the-trade-war">90-day trade truce agreement</a>, which slashed U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%. China has also lowered its own duties on American imports to 10%.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45347089/wall-street-rips-higher-as-tariff-truce-halts-us-china-economic-escalation">Wall Street Rips Higher As Tariff Truce Halts US–China Economic Escalation</a>
Why It&#8217;s Important: Despite his latest outreach attempt, Trump made it clear that his trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE was aimed at <a href="http://benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45476624/us-china-trade-truce-trumps-middle-east-deals-spark-wall-street-rally-this-week-in-markets">preventing those nations</a> from aligning with Beijing, the report noted.
"They were going to China, and that was going to be their parent, and that's not happening," Trump said, adding, "They're very important to keep in our fold."
During his trip to the Middle East, Trump was able to secure around <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45476624/us-china-trade-truce-trumps-middle-east-deals-spark-wall-street-rally-this-week-in-markets">$2 trillion in trade and investment</a> commitments.
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) ended the week up 2.16%, while semiconductor stocks continued their upward momentum, with the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) climbing 3.06% in the last five days, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
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</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

iShares PHLX SOX Semiconductor Sector Index Fund

SOXX

Trump Says He's Willing To Visit China To Meet Xi Jinping, Calls US-China Relationship 'Important' After Striking Temporary Trade Truce

Paying off debt and investing money are two strategies you can use to build wealth. While it makes sense to pay off high-interest debt right away, most people don't rush to pay off low-interest debt like mortgages.
One individual has been <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/MiddleClassFinance/comments/1khrky8/pay_off_my_car_loan_early_or_just_keep_cruising/">making regular auto loan payments</a> and has a $13,500 balance. This person is comfortable with the monthly payments but recently received a $6,000 windfall. On one hand, that extra money can cut the auto loan balance by almost half. However, those funds can also go into the stock market and earn a higher return.
"I'm genuinely torn," the individual admitted to the Middle Class Finance subreddit.
Fellow Redditors offered their suggestions on how to proceed with the situation.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Build An Emergency Fund</h2>
One commenter suggested building an emergency fund with the $6,000 if the original poster doesn't already have one. The advantage of an emergency fund is that you won't have to take out another loan if a surprise expense shows up.
The auto loan currently has a 6.8% APR, so its interest will accumulate faster than the emergency savings account. However, it can be more expensive to take out a personal loan if you need it in the future.&nbsp;
The commenter suggested that the original poster only needs a six-month emergency fund. If that condition has already been satisfied, it makes more sense to put the money toward the auto loan.
Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/boxabl-scaling-fast-from-spacex-orders-to-600-homes-built-this-60k-foldable-home-may-be-the-future-of-housing">this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share.</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Factor In Taxes</h2>
Although moving the money into a high-yield savings account can give you a financial buffer during emergencies, not every commenter was on board with the idea.
"Considering it's 6.8%, 100% pay it off early," one commenter suggested.
However, when it comes to choosing between extra loan payments and a high-yield savings account, you have to consider the tax implications. As one commenter explains, a 4% APY on a high-yield savings account isn't as high as it sounds.
"You'll also be paying taxes on that 4% interest while the interest on your loan continues to accumulate at a higher rate," the commenter explained.
The Redditor will save more money if they pay off the loan than store the money in a high-yield savings account. If the Redditor has other ways to handle emergency expenses, paying the auto loan may be the better route.
See Also: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/a-cure-for-osteoarthritis-powered-by-everyday-investors-cytonics-is-looking-to-beat-big-pharma-and-disrupt-a-390-billion-market"> Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Freedom Of No Monthly Payment</h2>
One commenter explained that they were in a similar situation and opted to pay off their auto loan with the windfall they received from a class action settlement. This commenter explained that the freedom from not having to worry about monthly payments anymore was worth it.
The original poster also mentioned freedom as a key factor. Paying off half of the loan will result in less interest and lower monthly payments.&nbsp;
While putting the money into a high-yield savings account can help in the event of an emergency, paying off the loan is a better approach. You can also invest the money in the stock market and potentially get a return that's higher than 6.8%. However, the stock market isn't a sure thing, while chipping away at the auto loan results in guaranteed savings.
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Personal Finance

A Redditor Asks If They Should Pay Off Half Their Auto Loan Or Invest The Money Instead: 'I'm Genuinely Torn'

When you hire a financial advisor, you're <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">handing over more than just money</a>. You're handing over trust, peace of mind—and the assumption that someone with a professional title won't tank your portfolio during a dip. But what happens when the person you pay to manage risk ends up locking in losses that wipe out last year's gains?
That's the question one investor raised on Bogleheads.org, a popular online forum where personal finance enthusiasts—many of them DIY investors—gather to dissect strategy, question fees, and lean into the gospel of low-cost, long-term investing. Think of it as a home base for index fund purists and fee hawks.
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In a <a href="https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452987">post under the site's Personal Investments section</a>, one user shared his dilemma: He's about 10 years from retirement, makes a strong income, and doesn't need to touch his retirement savings anytime soon. A few years ago, he hired a Registered Investment Advisor to manage about two-thirds of his savings, while he continued managing the other third himself.
The RIA had him in a 77% equity allocation that earned a solid 12% in 2024. So far, so good. But by early April, the advisor began emailing that if markets didn't correct, they'd sell out of everything and move to cash. And that's exactly what happened. Just days later, nearly all positions were liquidated and dumped into the Schwab Government Money Fund (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNVXX#NASDAQ">SNVXX</a>).&nbsp;
The investor logged into his portal and saw a negativer 3.6% return for the past 12 months. In less than 2.5 years, his net gain was now a slim 1.6%. "Meanwhile," he noted, with the one-third of his portfolio he manages solo, he was doing the opposite— <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45337654/now-what-investor-with-100k-in-voo-wonders-whats-next-after-constantly-hearing-the-first-hurdle-is-the-hardest">buying Vanguard's S&amp;P 500 ETF</a> (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VOO#NYSE">VOO</a>)&nbsp; at $540, $500, and $475 as the market slid. On the very day the advisor sold him out of equities, he was buying more.
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He left readers with one simple question: "Based on these limited facts, who would you fire—him or me?"
The responses rolled in. One user didn't hold back: "I'd fire both—you and him." The criticism? Neither appeared to have an Investment Policy Statement, the document that usually outlines long-term strategy and helps avoid reactive decisions like market timing.
Another forum regular said it more bluntly: "The investor's biggest enemy is…the investor himself." Others piled on similar thoughts—calling out the lack of a unified strategy, the mixed messages of splitting management, and the advisor's sudden pivot to cash without a phone call.
Some highlighted red flags from the advisor side: the bold move to cash, the reliance on emails for major trades, and the potential tax consequences of exiting positions during a downturn. "It boggles me that an RIA would make big, bold moves like this," one commenter wrote. Another questioned whether this kind of decision was being made across other actively managed portfolios that week.
But not everyone thought the situation was disastrous. One user framed it as a potential turning point: "You made some mistakes. That's okay. It's not a huge hit to your portfolio. Learn from it." Others pointed out that the RIA gave notice—so why not step in and say no?
See Also: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/a-cure-for-osteoarthritis-powered-by-everyday-investors-cytonics-is-looking-to-beat-big-pharma-and-disrupt-a-390-billion-market"> Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold</a>.
Still, the general tone was clear: when you're paying an advisor, it's reasonable to expect discipline, not reaction. And when your self-managed portfolio outperforms the professional one, it's fair to start asking questions.
So, what should investors take away from this?
While this isn't financial advice, it does raise a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/05/45256709/approaching-retirement-suze-ormans-2025-plan-for-safe-high-earning-cash">few universal considerations</a>:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Have a plan—and write it down. An Investment Policy Statement helps remove emotion from investing. It should spell out risk tolerance, allocation, and when (if ever) to pivot.</li>
<li>Communication matters. If your advisor is selling everything and moving to cash via email, and you're surprised by it—you might have a bigger problem than market timing.</li>
<li>Split strategies can backfire. Letting an advisor manage part of your money while you run the rest can lead to conflict, confusion, and inconsistent outcomes.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44610661/why-timing-the-market-is-a-terrible-idea">Market timing rarely wins</a>. Whether it's a dip or a full-blown correction, pulling out at the wrong time often means missing the rebound.</li>
<li>Fees still count. One poster estimated that, based on assets under management, the advisor might be taking around 1%—or $30,000 annually. If you're losing trust, that number looms larger. </li>
</ul>
At the end of the day, the real question might not be "Who should I fire?"—but "What's the long-term plan here?" Because whether you're investing in index funds, private startups, or your own side hustle, one thing's clear: guessing the market rarely beats a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset">steady hand and a solid plan</a>.
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Image: Shutterstock

SNVXX

He Made 12% Last Year—Now His Advisor Moved Everything Into SNVXX And He's Down 3.6%: Is It Time To Fire The Guy Who Just Locked In His Losses?

If you're banking on Earth being around forever, Elon Musk has some grim news: we're living on borrowed time—and the sun has the final say.
In a recent interview on Fox News' "Jesse Watters Primetime," Musk gave his cosmic forecast. "Eventually, all life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun," he said. "The sun is gradually expanding, so we do at some point need to be a multi-planet civilization because Earth will be incinerated."
<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">Musk: And eventually, all life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun. It&#39;s gradually expanding, we do at some point have to be multi-planetary civilization because Earth will be incinerated… <a href="https://t.co/gMrW39tiBf">pic.twitter.com/gMrW39tiBf</a>
&mdash; Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1919554986389995633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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And according to Musk, the clock is already ticking. He claims that if Earth has been around for 4.5 billion years, "then Earth only has about 10% more life in it before it gets so hot that life is impossible."
But Musk isn't just doomsaying—he's pitching a plan. Colonizing Mars, he argues, is humanity's best shot at survival. "Mars is life insurance for life collectively," he told Watters. "We have a long way to go. It's not just about landing on Mars and fancy equipment. It's about creating a self-sustaining city on Mars."
He explains that if a Mars colony can't operate without constant supplies from Earth, then it's not real "life insurance." For it to safeguard humanity's future, it has to be fully self-sustaining in case Earth is no longer there to support it.
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While the idea of Earth being torched by the sun might sound like a sci-fi plot twist, the science backs it up—sort of. Astrophysicists widely agree that the sun is on a slow but <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2021/01/22/in-photos-this-is-what-we-will-look-like-in-55-billion-years-when-the-sun-is-dying/">steady march toward destruction</a>. As it ages, it burns hotter and brighter. In roughly 500 million years, that increased heat is expected to strip away Earth's atmosphere and boil the oceans, rendering the planet uninhabitable. In about 5 billion years, the sun will expand into a red giant—very likely swallowing Earth whole, <a href="http://space.com/">according to Space.com</a>.&nbsp;
So yes, the threat is real—but also very, very far away. Musk's point? That's exactly why we need to act now. Waiting until humanity is gasping under a swollen sun would be, well, bad planning.
With <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/03/44104443/spacex-starships-first-launch-from-florida-slated-for-late-2025-company-plans-new-gigabay-manufacturing-facilities-in-state">SpaceX developing its Starship rockets</a> and long-term visions of Martian cities, Musk has poured billions into this idea. He's said before that Earth is a "<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/elon-musk-aiming-for-mars-so-humanity-is-not-a-single-planet-species.html">single-planet civilization</a>" living at risk of extinction from anything—from nuclear war to rogue asteroids—and that humanity's long-term survival depends on its ability to become multi-planetary.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/elon-musk-told-the-u-n-if-they-could-show-a-plan-for-ending-world-hunger-hed-donate-6-billion-i-will-sell-tesla-stock-right-now-and-do-it">Elon Musk Told The U.N. If They Could Show A Plan For Ending World Hunger He'd Donate $6 Billion – ‘I Will Sell Tesla Stock Right Now And Do It'</a>
Now, he's putting the sun itself on that threat list.
It's a dramatic pitch, sure—but coming from the guy <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/03/44438881/id-like-to-die-on-mars-just-not-on-impact-elon-musk-says-nothing-is-more-exciting-than-space-travel-but-you-might-not-come-back-alive">building rockets to Mars</a>, it's not just talk. Whether it's hundreds of millions of years or a cosmic fluke tomorrow, Musk's message is simple: Earth won't last forever, and if we want to keep life alive, we'd better start packing.
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Startups

Elon Musk Says Earth Only Has 10% Of Its Life Left Before It's 'Incinerated' By The Sun — Calls Colonizing Mars Humanity's 'Life Insurance' Policy

Trading Halt: Halted at 7:50:00 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

SQFTW

CNEY

SQFTP

SQFT

Teledyne Technologies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TDY#NYSE">TDY</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 6.18% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 16.96%. Currently, Teledyne Technologies has a market capitalization of $23.39 billion. 
Buying $100 In TDY: If an investor had bought $100 of TDY stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $477.81 today based on a price of $499.17 for TDY at the time of writing.
<h3>Teledyne Technologies's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747439112_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

Here's How Much $100 Invested In Teledyne Technologies 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 12.27% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 23.05%. Currently, Meta Platforms has a market capitalization of $1.59 trillion. 
Buying $100 In META: If an investor had bought $100 of META stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $794.96 today based on a price of $631.18 for META at the time of writing.
<h3>Meta Platforms's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747438213_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $100 In This Stock 10 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DGX#NYSE">DGX</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 305.46% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 320.73%. Currently, Quest Diagnostics has a market capitalization of $19.47 billion. 
Buying $1000 In DGX: If an investor had bought $1000 of DGX stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $1,318,296.30 today based on a price of $174.39 for DGX at the time of writing.
<h3>Quest Diagnostics's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747437313_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$1000 Invested In This Stock 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Wells Fargo (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 10.77% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 26.04%. Currently, Wells Fargo has a market capitalization of $244.55 billion. 
Buying $1000 In WFC: If an investor had bought $1000 of WFC stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,998.03 today based on a price of $75.15 for WFC at the time of writing.
<h3>Wells Fargo's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747436412_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Wells Fargo 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

If it feels harder to build wealth these days, you're not imagining it—and the late Charlie Munger agreed.
In a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/30/full-transcript-from-cnbcs-charlie-munger-a-life-of-wit-and-wisdom-.html">2023 CNBC interview with Becky Quick</a>, Munger—who was 99 at the time—was asked a simple but loaded question:
"So you think it's harder to make money now?"
Munger didn't hesitate. "Well, that's a very interesting question. And it's a very important question. And of course it's harder. It's so much harder you can't believe it."
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For someone who spent nearly a century analyzing markets, that blunt answer was striking. And it <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43270288/its-almost-been-too-easy-charlie-munger-predicted-tough-times-ahead-for-investors-with-everything-doing-poorly-and-taxes-going-up">wasn't just a complaint—it was a history lesson</a>.
Munger explained that the investing playbook that made Warren Buffett rich, taught by legendary investor Ben Graham, doesn't work like it used to. Graham's strategy—buying undervalued companies with strong asset backing—was revolutionary during the Great Depression. He wasn't chasing unicorn startups or IPO hype. He just found "a few good things" and stuck with them for a few years.
"He just floated around from the best available stuff among companies good and bad. That was his system," Munger recalled. "Well, after he became so famous, partly with the help of Warren Buffett… everybody tried to do the same thing."
And that's the problem. The moment everyone flooded the market trying to be the next Ben Graham, the opportunities dried up. "The low-hanging fruit that Ben Graham had a lot of… has gone away," Munger said.
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It's not just the investing world that's more competitive—every part of the wealth-building journey feels heavier now. Sure, Buffett has famously said that even today's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42558080/warren-buffett-says-the-poorest-2-of-earners-live-better-than-john-d-rockefeller-richest-man-in-the-world-people-have-more-money-now">bottom 2% are richer than Rockefeller</a> in many ways. And Munger himself has urged people <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/12/42416245/charlie-munger-found-it-weird-how-life-was-pretty-brutal-and-short-but-now-things-are-600-better-and-yet-people-are-less-happy">not to complain too much about modern life</a>. But that doesn't mean people feel rich. Not with inflation hammering everyday costs, home prices surging, and savings rates lagging behind asset inflation.
Yes, technology has opened doors. But it's also raised the bar. Everyone has access to information, apps, and trading tools. But that access <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43718032/warren-buffett-was-asked-how-a-regular-person-gets-rich-he-detailed-exactly-how-hed-make-30-billion-starting-over-with-only-10000">hasn't made it easier to get rich</a>—it's just made the race more crowded.
What Munger was saying—in his signature blunt manner—is that the easy wins are gone. If you want to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/are-you-rich">build wealth today</a>, you'll need more than just hustle. You'll need patience, strategy, and a willingness to climb higher for what used to be waiting on the ground.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/gbr-savings-by-age">If You're Age 35, 50, or 60: Here&#8217;s How Much You Should Have Saved Vs. Invested By Now</a></li>
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Charlie Munger Said 'It's So Much Harder To Make Money Today, You Can't Believe It' — The 'Low-Hanging Fruit' That Made People Rich Is Gone

Chardan Capital analyst Geulah Livshits maintains Century Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IPSC#NASDAQ">IPSC</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $7 to $6.

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IPSC

Chardan Capital Maintains Buy on Century Therapeutics, Lowers Price Target to $6

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Vital Energy Schedules Third-Quarter 2024 Earnings Release and Conference Call

Vital Energy Reports Third-Quarter 2024 Financial and Operating Results

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Vital Energy Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Financial and Operating Results

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Vital Energy Reports First-Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Results

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BENZINGA NEL MONDO