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Supreme Court won’t hear Hertz’s challenge over post-bankruptcy funds

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Supreme Court won’t hear Hertz’s challenge over post-bankruptcy funds

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  • The Supreme Court rejected Hertz’s appeal and held the company liable for interest payments to former bondholders.
  • The legal dispute began after Hertz emerged from bankruptcy and paid off its bonds early, which bondholders claimed deprived them of future interest.
  • A federal appeals court previously sided with bondholders, arguing that bondholders should be paid in full before shareholders receive dividends.
  • Following the high court’s ruling, Hertz now faces an estimated payment of more than $320 million in interest and legal costs.

The Supreme Court declined to hear Hertz’s challenge to a lower court’s ruling over more than $270 million in interest payments to former bondholders.

On January 12, a three-judge panel of the High Court rejected the request for a retrial of the case (one judge was in favor of granting the request).

Representatives for Hertz could not be reached for comment on the Supreme Court’s decision.

The legal dispute arose in 2021 after the Estero-based rental car giant emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and emerged a stronger company with new life.

Bondholders, who were not allowed to vote on Hertz’s restructuring plan, quickly sued for lack of compensation after the company’s bankruptcy case was completed. They argued that they needed to be “perfected” by receiving the expected interest in full at the expected rate.

Hertz’s early gains translated into millions of dollars in lost interest down the road.

The listed companies argued that bankruptcy law prohibits the accrual of “less than interest” after filing for bankruptcy protection, and that the bondholders received the amount they were entitled to based on “admitted claims.”

In September 2024, bondholders successfully appealed the bankruptcy court’s decision. The case was heard by the Pennsylvania Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Thomas Ambro, one of the appellate court judges, wrote in a 51-page opinion that Hertz was “deeply cashed” after the reorganization and paid its shareholders in full, giving them $1.1 billion in cash and stock, four times the promised pre-bankruptcy interest bondholders sought on appeal.

In case you missed it: Hertz launches nationwide online platform for purchasing used cars

“It’s extremely unfair to cut shareholder returns when quasi-shareholders have already received $1 billion in distributions,” he argued.

A majority of the judges found that the “absolute priority rule” requires bondholders to be paid in full at the contract rate “before an owner with a subordinate interest in the business does anything.”

In a partial dissent, Circuit Judge David Porter said he disagreed that the rule overrides the Bankruptcy Code’s general prohibition on claiming post-bankruptcy interest.

In a statement at the time, Hertz said it was disappointed in the 2-1 opinion that “reversed the bankruptcy court’s well-founded decision” that the company “met all of its legal obligations to unsecured noteholders by repaying 100% of the principal and interest outstanding at the time of the bankruptcy filing, plus post-petition interest at federal judgment rates.”

The company added, “We believe that existing Third Circuit precedent strongly supports the Bankruptcy Court’s decision.”

Mark Thomas Stancil, an attorney at Willkie Farr & Gallagher who represented the National Association Wells Fargo Bank as a trustee for a group of bondholders in the case, declined to comment. So did Christopher Mason, as did American Bankers Association attorney Nixon Peabody, who represented other bondholders.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Solicitor General recommended that Hertz’s motion be dismissed, noting that “both the Fifth and Ninth Circuits have held that if a debtor is solvent, an unimpaired creditor must pay in full all post-claim interest due under the contract.”

Hertz’s stock price fell after the Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal.

The lawsuit continues to increase the amount owed to bondholders, now estimated at more than $320 million. The same goes for Hertz’s legal costs.

Hertz Global Holdings completed its move to Estero in 2016 after building a new, modern global headquarters off U.S. 41.

The Company’s subsidiaries and licensees operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly rental car brands, as well as the Hertz Car Sales brand in the United States and the Hertz 24/7 car sharing business in Europe.

Laura Layden is a business and government reporter. Email laura.layden@naplesnews.com..

Support local community journalism and stay up to date on news from Southwest Florida by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Download the free News-Press app or the Naples Daily News app and sign up for our daily briefing email newsletter, Food & Dining, Growth & Development newsletter.

President Trump aide says action in Greenland could begin ‘within weeks’

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President Trump aide says action in Greenland could begin ‘within weeks’

The next steps against Greenland could come as early as weeks, a U.S. official told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview.

President Donald Trump’s desire to annex Greenland remains unimpeded and the United States could take meaningful action regarding the Arctic island within “weeks or months,” according to a senior administration official.

That’s the view of Thomas Dance, the Trump administration’s Arctic commissioner. He is seen as one of the chief promoters of the president’s interest in Greenland, an idea first brought to him by billionaire and former diplomat Ronald Lauder.

Dans has been working on this issue since 2020.

“This is a multi-stop rail line,” he said in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY. “Things can move on an express basis, skipping stops and going directly to major stations. That’s where President Trump wants to move faster.”

Still, Dans said he believes significant progress could be made on negotiations and agreements regarding Greenland sooner rather than later, but that he expects the deal will ultimately take longer to complete.

Infiltration, coercion, and takeover. How will President Trump’s Greenland saga end?

“We need to get the people of Greenland on board,” he said, referring to polls showing that while a majority of Greenland’s 57,000 residents ultimately want to secede from Denmark, a majority do not want Greenland to become the 51st state of the United States. Denmark and Greenland said Greenland is not for sale.

How quickly can the United States acquire Greenland?

Dans added that while “things could happen quickly from a transactional perspective,” “there is a process to gain the trust and support of the Greenlandic people, and this will require time and effort on the part of the United States.”

Dans’ assessment was made when Vice President J.D. Vance hosted a meeting with senior officials from Denmark and Greenland at the White House on Jan. 14, a U.S. official confirmed to USA TODAY.

The meeting, requested by Denmark, was scheduled for a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio amid Trump’s threatening claims that the US must “own” Greenland. But in a sign that momentum on Greenland may be accelerating, Vance will be at the helm of the discussion.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lökke Rasmussen told reporters on January 12 that Mr. Vance had requested his participation in the talks and that Mr. Rubio would continue to attend.

Despite the escalation, Denmark’s government sees the change of venue as an opportunity to promote its vice president, who is close to Trump and last year led a delegation to the only remaining U.S. military base in Greenland.

Speaking from the White House podium on January 8, Mr. Vance advised European leaders to heed Mr. Trump’s warnings regarding Greenland. “What we’re asking our European friends to do is take that continent’s security more seriously, because if they don’t, the United States is going to have to do something about it,” Vance said.

Trump’s preferred options for acquiring the mineral-rich Arctic island are to purchase it outright or gain control through other diplomatic means, according to Trump’s own public comments, White House statements, and people familiar with the wide range of options his administration is actively considering.

President Trump said on January 9, “I want to get a deal the easy way, but if we can’t get a deal the easy way, we’re going to get the deal the hard way.”

How to get to Greenland: Is Trump the first president to try to get it?

President Trump said the United States needs Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, to prevent its occupation by Russia or China. Dans said he hasn’t ruled out using the U.S. military to obtain it, but said that possibility remains low.

He said the only people who should be alarmed about the US invasion of Greenland are “those living in a state of ignorance” because the US already controls the security environment. “You can’t break in if you’re already there.”

Aside from direct purchases of Greenland, one idea discussed by Trump administration officials is to provide Greenlanders with direct mandatory lump-sum payments worth between $10,000 and $100,000 per person. It is hoped that these payments will persuade Greenlanders to accelerate their independence movement from Denmark.

Under this model, an independent Greenland could enter into a so-called Compact of Free Association with the United States, which would provide exclusive security to the island in exchange for direct payments.

“Buy us!”: Greenlanders are shocked, intrigued and perplexed by President Trump’s enthusiasm for the Arctic

Another idea, also post-independence, could be a proposal for the United States to take a long-term lease of Greenland from Denmark. This would be similar to what China did when it leased Hong Kong territory to Britain for 99 years. But in recent days, President Trump has appeared to shower disdain on the proposal, saying: “Countries have to have ownership, but they protect ownership, not leases. And we’re going to have to protect Greenland.”

The devastation of Greenland: Denmark says US is a national security risk

Will Denmark agree to give up Greenland?

Danish officials declined to comment on Dans’ remarks and declined to say what compromises the Danish government was willing to make on Greenland.

Opinion polls show that a majority of Greenland’s 57,000 residents ultimately want to secede from Denmark, but a majority do not want Greenland to become the 51st state of the United States.

At a press conference in Copenhagen on January 13, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the Greenlandic government’s goal is “a peaceful dialogue based on cooperation, respecting our country’s constitutional status, international law, our country and our right to self-determination.”

However, Nielsen emphasized that “Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States.” Greenland does not want to be ruled by the United States. Greenland does not want to become part of the United States. ”

Denmark provides the strategically located island with $600 million a year in subsidies for welfare services and public infrastructure, as well as additional funding for security and defence. It is not immediately clear how much President Trump would be willing to pay for Greenland if he were to purchase it through a direct sale. In 1946, the United States offered to pay Denmark $100 million in gold to purchase Greenland. The sale was not completed.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a Newsmax interview on January 8 that the United States bought Alaska for “$15 million, which turned out to be a great bargain. Buying Greenland for $5 billion could also be a great bargain.”

President Trump and his top advisers have repeatedly refused to rule out military force if diplomacy fails over Greenland. President Trump’s ambition to seize a vast territory about three times the size of Texas has caused alarm in European capitals, especially given that the United States and Denmark are NATO allies bound by a mutual defense pact. The White House has also expressed an appetite for unorthodox military intervention, such as the January 3 attack that captured Venezuelan strongman President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Syria Flores.

“A crazy and beautiful place with a dark side”: Greenland, but not as you know it

Speaking in Sweden on January 12, European Union Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius warned that US military occupation of Greenland would effectively mean the end of the NATO military alliance. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen used similar terms to describe the impact of the US occupation of Greenland on NATO.

NATO was established in 1949 and was originally intended to establish a military deterrence and counterforce against Soviet forces in Central and Eastern Europe after World War II. It currently has 32 member states and its combat, peacekeeping, training, surveillance and disaster relief missions extend beyond Europe to the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.

One of NATO’s founding provisions, known as Article 5, stipulates that an armed attack against one NATO member state should be considered an attack against all NATO members. The system has only been activated once in its history, after the September 11, 2001 attacks. This led to NATO’s deployment to Afghanistan. A senior European defense official said on condition of anonymity that there is no clause in the NATO treaty that explains the idea of ​​one NATO member attacking another. Danish leader Mette called President Trump’s obsession with Greenland “ridiculous.”

“Today, we already have a defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States, which gives the United States extensive access to Greenland,” he said earlier this month, calling on the United States to “stop the threat.”

Denmark admitted that it was ignoring the territory’s military capabilities. Military forces on the island are limited, with aging ships and dog sled patrols. It has pledged to spend billions of dollars to strengthen security.

Dans said in an interview that Denmark’s claims that it is investing heavily in Arctic security amount to disingenuous rhetoric. “They have 47,000 miles of coastline, only four ships over 30 years old, and two of them don’t have functioning cannons. They’ve made promises and still haven’t delivered.”

He also said he did not expect Trump to back away from efforts to take control of Greenland.

Francesca Chambers contributed to this report.

‘Hot Rivals’ Inspires Gym Goals to Support Healthy Aging

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‘Hot Rivals’ Inspires Gym Goals to Support Healthy Aging

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An unexpected motivation for Jim to achieve his goals for 2026? A gay hockey romance.

The men (and their muscles) featured in the hit show Heat Rivalry, based on Rachel Reid’s book series, are motivating people to hit the gym, and fitness experts are thrilled.

“As a trainer, I’m really excited and encouraged by how motivated and inspired everyone is by this cultural moment,” says Karen Prine, a UK-based certified personal trainer with a degree in exercise and health. “I hope people continue to be inspired.”

On social media, Ilya Rozanov (played by Connor Story) and Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) have been posting about their “glute goals” and how the show has inspired them to get in shape and stop skipping the gym.

Fitness inspiration has also found its way into group fitness classes, with Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby holding coded classes and spins at Heat Rivalry, and SoulCycle instructors posting about themed rides as well.

Rigsby also praised the show’s influence, writing on Instagram that he “suddenly had the urge to start a glute program.” Also, other fitness coaches like Greg Statson offered tips after seeing people “want to focus more after watching a heated rivalry.” Inspired by the show, Julia Jean created themed HIIT workouts that fans described as “beginner-friendly.” “We work out, we sweat, and we grow glutes like Ilya Rozanov,” she said in a post about the class.

Why Connor Storey and Hudson Williams have gym enthusiasts

Prine believes the HudCon phenomenon is inspiring for several reasons. The reasons include a counterbalance to the recent return of skinny culture messages.

“All the people I’ve seen posting about this online are women, and they’re inspired not only by Elijah’s cheeks but also by his arms. They want big biceps, big shoulders, big triceps,” she says. “We have made a lot of effort to let go of the narrow ideals of body image and body standards that are forced upon us, and to accept that we are well-nourished, strong, capable, and inclusive.”

Even stars don’t make working out a big deal. Instead, fitness feels like a routine, both on-screen and off-screen.

“Fitness seems to be a part of their lives, not just something they do for a job,” Prine said, adding that Williams has a background in mixed martial arts (MMA) and Story said she didn’t have to work as hard to get in shape for the role. “So I feel like their fitness is just a part of their life, which is also relatable and achievable.”

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‘Heated Rivalry’ star Hudson Williams turns heads at Golden Globe Awards

“Heated Rivalry” star Hudson Williams turns heads on the 2026 Golden Globe Awards red carpet.

And while muscular men may be commonly associated with a narrow view of masculinity, the character’s physical strength is balanced by the character’s emotional depth and tenderness.

“I know they’re men, but I think they’re attracted to people of all genders,” Prine says.

Plus, the soundtrack, featuring nostalgic yet reliable bops, has people ready to move on. tATu’s “All The Things She Said” is “on repeat at home,” Prine says.

Strength training has more benefits than just building your body.

Strength training isn’t just about increasing muscle mass. It also supports bone density. Bone density naturally decreases with age, but is important for posture and safe movement.

For example, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases, osteoporosis occurs when bone density and mass decrease significantly, weakening the bones. It also increases the risk of osteoporotic fractures.

When your bones are dense, you’re much less likely to break a bone when you fall, Dr. Nasim A. Chaudhry, a rehabilitation medicine specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, previously told USA TODAY.

Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, and running, as well as strength training using weights or resistance bands, can help stimulate bone formation, Chaudhry added.

“For young people, it’s harder to take care of yourself as you get older, but thinking about muscle mass and bone density improves balance and posture, which keeps us mobile and active,” explains Prine, 45, adding that hormonal changes such as menopause can also accelerate the loss of bone density.

And the benefits go beyond the physical. She added that exercising can also improve your mood and confidence, which can also help with your overall mental health.

Tips for starting strength training

It’s great to start young, but it’s never too late to start. Please note that the results will not be immediate. As the title of this book’s sequel suggests, strength training is the “long game.”

“Be patient with yourself; it will take at least a few months before you start to notice changes in your body,” she says, adding that genetics also play a role in muscle definition.

Even if you want to primarily target a specific area, Preene recommends a full-body workout to maximize overall benefits.

“As a beginner, aim low,” she says. “Start with two days a week, because a lot of the mistakes people make is they do too much too quickly.”

Before worrying about proper form with dumbbells or barbells, take advantage of the machines at the gym.

“It’s very effective, very safe to use, and you can also adjust the weight,” she says, adding that it helps you feel comfortable and confident in your movement patterns while building baseline strength.

Don’t forget to replenish your energy after training. She says tuna melts are actually “a great post-workout meal because they provide carbohydrates, fat, and protein.”

Well, with all these health benefits, do you come here? cottage Gym?

These are the top contenders for 2026 North American Car of the Year

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These are the top contenders for 2026 North American Car of the Year

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  • The 2026 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year winners will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show.
  • A jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada will select the winner from the nine finalists.
  • The finalists for Car of the Year are the Dodge Charger, Honda Prelude, and Nissan Sentra.

The 2026 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year will be awarded on Wednesday, January 14th.

A jury of 50 professional automotive journalists from the United States and Canada will select the three nominees in each category. Winners will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show on Wednesday, January 14th. The USA TODAY Cars team reviewed the nominated cars in each category and compiled information for consumers about each model.

The candidates are:

2026 North American Car of the Year Finalist

Manufacturer and model: Dodge Charger

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $49,995

What does Dodge say about the Charger?: In a press release announcing the launch of the 2026 Charger, Stellantis said it is a “powerhouse designed to continue the evolution of modern muscle with uncompromising performance, relentless power and unmistakable Dodge attitude.”

Manufacturer and model:Honda Prelude

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $42,000

What does Honda say about the Prelude? Honda said in a press release that the 2026 Prelude “offers precise steering, responsive handling and fun to drive, delivering an engaging grand touring experience while remaining comfortable for everyday driving.”

Manufacturer and model: Nissan Sentra

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $22,600

What does Nissan say about the Sentra?Nissan said in a press release that the 2026 Sentra is attracting attention for its “luxury new design and technology that simplifies the driving experience.”

In case you missed it: Worst selling vehicle in 2025, according to market data

2026 North American Truck of the Year Finalist

Manufacturer and model:Ford Maverick Robo

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $35,930

What does Ford say about the Maverick Robo? Ford said in a press release that the Maverick “continues to exceed expectations, offering customers an unparalleled combination of affordability and best-in-class fuel economy.”

Manufacturer and model: ram 1500 hemi

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $40,275

What does Stellantis say about the Ram 1500 Hemi? “The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine delivers 395 horsepower and 555 Nm of torque in a smooth, broad powerband, enhanced with fuel-saving technologies such as variable camshaft timing and cylinder deactivation,” Stellantis said in a press release about the 1500 Hemi.

Manufacturer and model: Ram 2500

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $62,185

What does Stellantis say about the Ram 2500 Hemi?In a post on its website, Stellantis says the Ram 2500 features a “sleek, aggressive exterior design, advanced interior sound system, and premium cabin amenities that make Ram heavy-duty trucks not only fun to drive but also fun to operate.”

2026 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalist

Manufacturer and model: Hyundai Palisade

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $38,935

What does Hyundai say about the Palisade?: Hyundai said in a press release that the 2026 Palisade is “bigger, better and more advanced than its acclaimed predecessor and competitive SUVs.”

Manufacturer and model: clear gravity

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $94,900

What does Lucid say about Gravity?: Lucid said in a press release that the 2026 Gravity “has the versatility of a sophisticated, full-size three-row SUV, with space for adults and families to ride in comfort with all their gear, and the performance of a luxury sports car.”

Manufacturer and model: nissan leaf

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $29,990

What does Nissan say about the Leaf?Nissan said in a press release that the 2026 Leaf “offers a sleek, streamlined design, effortless charging experience, improved battery life and even better value for money.”

President Trump’s U.S. attorney in charge of Minnesota fraud investigation resigns

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President Trump’s U.S. attorney in charge of Minnesota fraud investigation resigns

Joe Thompson is a deputy Minnesota attorney appointed by President Donald Trump to help unravel massive fraud in the state.

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Joe Thompson, the acting Minnesota attorney appointed by President Donald Trump to lead an investigation that uncovered massive fraud in the state, has resigned from his position, according to reports.

“It has been an honor and honor to represent the United States and this office,” Thompson wrote in the email, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, which obtained the email. The Star Tribune reported that Thompson did not specify a reason for his resignation in the email.

The New York Times reported that Thompson, along with two other federal prosecutors, resigned over the Justice Department’s push to investigate the widow of Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis woman killed by ICE agents on January 7.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross shot Good, 37, at close range during an immigration check in a residential area near downtown Minneapolis.

The Trump administration and local state officials have been at loggerheads ever since. Federal authorities have pointed to Minnesota’s recent welfare fraud scandal and refused to allow state investigators to examine evidence. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, called for an independent investigation into the shooting.

Mr. Thompson was appointed to the position last June and led fraud investigations into 14 state-run Medicaid programs. He estimated in December that more than $9 billion in federal funds that have supported the program since 2018 may have been stolen. He did not say how authorities calculated this number. This figure exceeds the amounts charged by people previously charged with theft.

Walz and Minnesota Department of Human Services officials denied estimates that the total fraud could exceed $9 billion, saying the fraud could exceed $1 billion.

The Department of Justice indicted 98 defendants in fraud-related cases in Minnesota, resulting in 64 convictions.

Contributors: Phillip M. Bailey and N’dea Yancey-Bragg

‘Dilbert’ author Scott Adams dies of cancer at age 68

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‘Dilbert’ author Scott Adams dies of cancer at age 68

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Scott Adams, the author and cartoonist whose cartoon “Dilbert,” a satire of corporate life, was widely praised before being banned for racist comments, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.

Adams’ ex-wife, Shelley Miles, confirmed Adams’ death on Tuesday, January 13, during a livestream of the show “Real Coffee with Scott Adams.”

“Hey, everyone. Unfortunately, this is not good news,” Miles said. “Of course he waited until right before the show started, but he’s no longer with us.”

Adams revealed in May that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. On New Year’s Day’s episode of Real Coffee with Scott Adams, Adams revealed that his health was deteriorating and told fans that his chances of recovery were “virtually zero.”

USA TODAY has reached out to Adams’ representatives for comment.

Following the announcement of Adams’ death, Miles read out a “last message” from the cartoonist that he had written on New Year’s Day.

“If you’re reading this, things didn’t go well for me either,” Adams wrote. “Before I leave, I would like to say a few things. My body fell before my head. …If you have any doubts about my choices regarding property or anything else, please know that I am not under any kind of insanity or improper influence, I promise.”

In his open letter, Adams also revealed that he had been persuaded by Christian friends to dedicate his life to Jesus Christ (though he described himself as a “non-believer”).

“I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and look forward to spending eternity with Him,” Adams wrote. “The part about me not being a believer should be resolved as soon as I wake up in heaven. I don’t need any more convincing. I hope I’m still eligible for admission.”

Miles said Adams “predicted” his death during their conversation Monday, explaining that “he knew it was a different feeling than he had ever felt before.”

Adams’ ex-spouse added that the cartoonist died “peacefully” surrounded by his loved ones.

Scott Adams’ comic “Dilbert” received critical acclaim even before the racism scandal

Adams’ Dilbert comic strip, centered around an engineer named Dilbert and his white-collar office life, was first published in 1989. The comic’s corporate culture background was inspired by Adams’ real-life experiences working at Pacific Bell Telephone Company (also known as AT&T).

Over the next decade, this observational comedy cartoon won Adams accolades, and the illustrator won the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award in 1997.

By 2013, the series reportedly appeared in 2,000 newspapers in 65 countries and was translated into 25 languages.

But “Dilbert’s” pop culture legacy came to a screeching halt in 2023, when numerous newspapers, including the USA TODAY Network, announced they were canceling the show due to Adams’ racist comments that white people “should stay away from black people.” Adams said at the time that his comments were an exaggeration.

The comic was later relaunched as a Locals webcomic under the name “Daily Dilbert Reborn.”

In addition to Dilbert, Adams has published several books, including Shards of God (2001), The Wars of Religion (2004), How to Fail at Almost Everything and Win Big (2013), Loserthink: How Untrained Brains Are Ruining America (2019), and Reframe Your Brain: The User Interface for Happiness and Success (2023).

“I have lived a wonderful life,” Adams wrote in a New Year’s Day letter. “I gave everything I had. If you benefited from my work in any way, I ask you to pay it forward in any way you can. That’s the legacy I want. It helps. And please know, I loved you all to the end.”

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributor: Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY

Summary of inflation in 2025

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Summary of inflation in 2025

good morning! I’m Daniel de Visé from Daily Money.

Annual inflation in December was 2.7%, above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, but not by much.

Where will prices go in 2026?

Do DEI policies harm white people?

President Donald Trump continues to talk about “reverse discrimination,” or diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that allegedly hurt white people.

Is there any evidence to support his claims?

What would happen if SCOTUS rules against President Trump’s tariffs?

Finally, President Trump has warned of fiscal disaster if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against his import tariffs. The ruling is one of the most high-profile cases of the Trump administration, and one of the most anticipated.

Will the High Court listen?

📰 Other stories you can’t miss 📰

Daniel de Visse covers personal finance for USA TODAY. Daily Money analyzes complex consumer and financial news. Subscribe here.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders loses Jordan Seaton and enters transfer portal

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Colorado coach Deion Sanders loses Jordan Seaton and enters transfer portal

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  • Offensive tackle Jordan Seaton has left the Colorado football program and entered the transfer portal.
  • Seaton was a five-star prospect who played two seasons under coach Deion Sanders.
  • He currently ranks as the top uncommitted player in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.

This will be a blow to Colorado State football coach Deion Sanders. He just lost offensive tackle Jordan Seaton to the transfer portal, a big blow for Sanders as he looks to rebuild his roster after a 3-9 season in 2025.

Seaton announced his decision on Instagram on January 12th. By entering the transfer portal, he will instantly become the top available player and is likely to earn a hefty fee. Florida State booster Hal Lewis claimed on social media that “Seton’s campaign has opened the bidding at $2.5 million.”

“As I look back on my time in Colorado, it’s hard to explain in words what this chapter truly means to me,” Seaton said on Instagram. “I never imagined this journey would end this way, but I am deeply grateful for every moment that has brought me here.”

According to 247Sports, Seaton ranks fourth among all transfers this year, behind three QBs. LSU’s new quarterback Sam Leavitt is ranked No. 1 after transferring from Arizona State.

Jordan Seaton thanks Deion Sanders

Seaton played two seasons at Colorado after being scouted by Colorado as a five-star prospect out of IMG Academy in Florida. He is expected to play just one more season of college football before departing for the NFL Draft, where he will likely be a first-round pick.

He thanked Deion Sanders in his farewell message. As of January 13, Sanders had not publicly commented on Seaton’s decision.

“To my brothers who will be on that field next season, keep grinding, keep believing, keep rolling,” Seaton wrote. “And to all the Colorado fans, thank you for welcoming me with open arms and supporting me every step of the way. This chapter may be coming to a close, but the impact of this experience and those who helped shape it will stay with me forever.”

What this means for Deion Sanders

This is Colorado’s biggest loss in the transfer portal after already losing more than 30 other scholarship players to the transfer portal after the 2025 season. Sanders also brings more than 30 transfers to a class that ranks 22nd in the nation in transfer class rankings, according to 247Sports.

However, Seton was expected to become a key part of Colorado’s offensive foundation, along with freshman quarterback Julian Lewis. He left a huge void at left tackle on an offensive line that ranked last in the Big 12 Conference in 2025 with 38 quarterback sacks allowed.

Perhaps this decision was a matter of money. It wasn’t about playing time or whether he liked Colorado. Former Colorado receiver Omarion Miller alluded to this in response to Seaton’s message on Instagram.

“Get your Brudda,” Miller wrote to him.

His decision came 10 days after the transfer portal opened on January 2nd, but will close on January 16th.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

Lamb launches NASCAR reality series with UFC boss Dana White

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Lamb launches NASCAR reality series with UFC boss Dana White

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  • Lamb will return to the NASCAR truck racing circuit for the first time in 13 years.
  • Ahead of the brand’s first season relaunch, the company partnered with UFC boss Dana White to create a reality show in the style of his popular show “The Ultimate Fighter.”
  • Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis said he hopes the show will further increase NASCAR’s popularity as it seeks to connect with more buyers.

Lamb will appear on television on a competitive reality show about the brand’s re-entry into the NASCAR circuit, an effort the truck maker’s CEO plans to use to sell more vehicles.

Lamb announced in June that he plans to return to NASCAR after leaving the racing circuit 13 years ago. This announcement was followed by the announcement of the roster, with two spots on the five-man team notably vacant.

Drivers Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Daniel Dye and Justin Haley will be on the roster full-time. To fill one of the two remaining spots, Ram is running a free agent campaign, offering new drivers one chance to drive for the company each week during the NASCAR season. The fifth spot on the roster will be a full-time racing role earned through a competitive reality show.

The show, titled “Race for the Seat,” was the brainchild of Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis with help from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White. The show features 15 aspiring racers vying for a spot on the Ram team. Over eight episodes, contestants compete at American speedways. The winner at the end of the season (already photographed) will earn a contract with the Lamb and Kaulig Racing Team for the 2026 season. Kaulig is an anchor factory team representing Ram.

Mr. White has previously produced a “Race for the Seat” style reality show.

White was the creator of “The Ultimate Fighter,” a mixed martial arts reality series in which contestants fight for a contract with the UFC. The show is credited with popularizing MMA in the United States, including Kunikis, who hopes to mirror the success of UFC and The Ultimate Fighter in NASCAR and Race for the Seat.

In case you missed it: These are the finalists for the 2026 North American Car of the Year Award

kuniskis theory

Kuniskis doesn’t just want a reality show to promote the trucks he sells. In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, he said Race for the Seat is a business move aimed at expanding NASCAR’s fan base and, in turn, Ram Trucks’ buyer base.

“Look, if I say I made a TV show, that’s not our job,” Kuniskis said. “We don’t make TV shows. We don’t know how to make TV shows.”

But as head of Ram Trucks and director of SRT, the company’s performance vehicle division, Kuniskis knows a thing or two about truck sales and racing. So partnering with White, who has produced a successful reality show, makes sense for Kunikis.

“Most people credit the growth of the UFC to that TV show,” Kuniskis said of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Kuniskis said he approached White and his team in early 2025 to see if they could help create a television show that would increase the popularity of NASCAR as a whole and, in turn, promote the Ram brand to NASCAR viewers. Half of NASCAR’s roughly 20 million fans drive pickup trucks, Kuniskis said. If NASCAR can grow its fan base, it can connect with more buyers, he said.

“There was no reason for (White) to help us,” Kuniskis said. “To be honest, we were getting flyers.”

However, after some back and forth, White said he was willing to participate in the project. He told Kuniskis that he intended to recreate the ultimate fighter in racing form.

Kuniskis said it’s difficult to profit from racing. Perhaps the engineering team is learning how to improve the powertrain, but it’s hard to quantify how much benefit the engineering lessons bring. He said the TV show is the plan to make the brand’s re-entry into NASCAR even more profitable.

Actor Jacob Loughran, best known for his role as Alice in the movie “The Maze Runner,” will host Race for the Seat. White and Thrill Sports Productions, a company co-owned by White, will produce the show.

The first episode of Race for the Seat will air on Fox on January 20th and will be available on YouTube 24 hours later. Subsequent episodes will premiere on Fox Sports One and air one day later on YouTube.

Liam Rapley covers Stellantis and the UAW for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him: LRappleye@freepress.com.

Georgia lawmakers begin 2026 session. These issues being discussed

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Georgia lawmakers begin 2026 session. These issues being discussed

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The Georgia Legislature will return “under the golden dome” for another year, beginning a 40-day session on Monday.

The session begins as the nation prepares for a year of potentially high-profile midterm elections, with special elections still being held for open seats across the state.

From tax reform to marijuana, here are some of the topics coming to the Georgia General Assembly in 2026.

Georgia House and Senate focus on affordability

“What everyone running for statewide office is talking about this coming session is affordability,” Republican strategist Brian Robinson told WAGA. “But so is what we are hearing from legislative leadership in the House and Senate.”

In the House, Speaker John Burns is expected to propose repealing the homestead property tax for Georgians. Taxation of rental housing and residential real estate will be up to local bodies.

Burns said homeowners shouldn’t “pay rent to the government,” and “I don’t think anyone in Georgia should have to face the possibility of losing their home” because they can’t afford to pay property taxes, according to The Center Square.

Senate Republicans also want to reduce the tax burden on Georgia households, rather than eliminate the state income tax.

The proposal would gradually phase out income taxes over the next few years, starting with annual incomes of less than $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for married couples. Eventually, this tax is scheduled to be completely abolished in 2032.

Another tax bill, SB 34, would provide tax incentives for the rapid expansion of data center development in the state, hoping to reduce costs for electricity customers. The bill would direct the Public Service Commission on how rate changes can be applied to power companies that build new data centers.

changes in education

Lawmakers plan to address two issues discussed in the last legislative session regarding education in Georgia.

The first bill, SB 120, was introduced in the Senate last year and will take a new vote this session to see if it moves to the House. The bill states, “No public school, local educational agency, or public institution of higher education shall promote, support, or sustain programs or activities that advocate diversity, equity, and inclusion, commonly referred to as DEI.”

Speaker Burns also said the Legislature will consider expanding existing HB 340, which bans the use of cell phones in K-12 education. The changes will also include banning cell phones for students in grades 9 through 12. Georgia is one of 36 states with some level of ban on cell phone use in schools.

Medical marijuana could expand

It is currently legal in Georgia to obtain “low THC oil” containing up to 5% THC for medical purposes only. Registered patients may only carry a maximum of 20 fluid ounces.

The bill, SB 220, passed the Senate and is expected to move to the House for a vote this year. The bill would raise the THC limit from 5% to 50% and lift the ban on vaping of medical cannabis oil. Patients will also be able to have 2 ounces of THC material instead of 20 fluid ounces to accommodate a greater variety of products.

It would also add lupus as a qualifying health condition and remove the requirement that the condition be in the cutting or terminal stage before medical marijuana can be used. The change would also allow reciprocity for out-of-state medical marijuana patients.

Other efforts to change cannabis policy will also be considered, from regulating cannabis to preventing police searches based solely on the scent of marijuana.

Cannabis advocates continue to push for full legalization of marijuana, following national trends and following the drug’s nationwide reclassification, but changes are unlikely this Congress.

Eileen Wright is an Atlanta Connect reporter for USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. X Find her at @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

‘Help me along the way’: President Trump tells Iranian protesters.

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‘Help me along the way’: President Trump tells Iranian protesters.

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A day after the Trump administration announced that attacking Iran with airstrikes was on the table, President Donald Trump encouraged Iranian protesters to continue flying and promised that “help is on the way.”

“Iranian patriots, keep protesting. Take over our institutions!!! Please leave the names of the murderers and abusers. They will pay a heavy price,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killings of protesters stop. Help is on the way. MIGA!!!”

Demonstrations in Tehran began in late December, causing the Iranian rial to plummet in value against the US dollar and deepening an already devastating economic crisis amid soaring inflation. It has killed hundreds of people and drawn condemnation from human rights groups.

According to Reuters, Iranian officials announced on January 12 that around 2,000 people had been killed in the protests. According to the news agency, this is the first time authorities have acknowledged the high death toll resulting from the harsh crackdown on the two-week-long nationwide unrest.

The White House has announced that attacking Iran with airstrikes is “on the table” as President Trump considers military options in the country following the Iranian regime’s deadliest crackdown on protests in years.

“What President Trump has been very good at is keeping all options on the table,” White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said on January 12. “And airstrikes will be one of many, many options on the commander-in-chief’s table.”

President Trump also said countries doing business with Iran would be subject to a 25% tariff on trade with the United States.

Contributor: Joey Garrison

Annual inflation rate remains at 2.7% in December, final report for 2025 revealed

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Annual inflation rate remains at 2.7% in December, final report for 2025 revealed

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The Labor Department announced on January 13 that U.S. consumer prices rose 2.7% in December from a year earlier, roughly in line with forecasters’ expectations.

The final Consumer Price Index report for 2025 caps a year in which inflation gradually eased but remained uneven across the economy. The annual inflation rate briefly rose to 3% in September, but returned to 2.7% in November, reflecting the small increase in prices of items such as gasoline and new cars.

Consumer prices rose 0.3% from November to December, according to a new report.

Price increases were driven by rising housing and food costs, which rose 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively, over the month. Energy prices also rose by 0.3% in December. Over the past 12 months, the energy index rose 2.3% and the food index rose 3.1% as some Americans noticed higher electricity bills and struggled to buy groceries.

Economists had hoped the December report would be a clearer indicator of U.S. inflation trends after last year’s government shutdown affected the previous CPI release, but some analysts believe the new report was also affected.

“Distortions caused by the government shutdown have made inflation statistics difficult to interpret, but recent numbers suggest that inflation has peaked,” Michael Pearce, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, said in a Jan. 13 note. “We believe price increases due to tariffs have been largely avoided and we expect further disinflation of services inflation in 2026 to bring inflation closer to our 2% target by year-end.”

Bankrate financial analyst Stephen Cates said consumers “can breathe a sigh of relief” that annual inflation did not jump back to 3%.

“Today’s results do not indicate further progress in inflation, but they also do not represent a step backwards,” Cates said in a separate Jan. 13 note. “It turns out the November CPI wasn’t a lie after all.”

more: What Jerome Powell said about the Justice Department’s investigation of the Fed chairman

What is the core inflation rate in the United States?

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, which is closely monitored by Federal Reserve policymakers, rose 2.6% over the past 12 months, in line with the previous month.

Are gas prices still falling?

Gasoline prices fell 0.5% in December and fell 3.4% for the year. The average price of regular unleaded was $2.82 per gallon as of Jan. 13, down from $2.92 last month and $3.07 last year, according to AAA.

Consumers expect price increases

According to the New York Fed’s December Consumer Expectations Survey, consumers expect near-term inflation to rise to 3.4% and believe it will become more difficult to service their debts over the next three months.

Economists say consumer sentiment reflects uneven financial conditions across income groups, and some households could see temporary relief from large tax refunds in 2026.

Will the Fed cut rates in January?

December’s CPI report will help Fed policymakers decide on their next interest rate decisions after a two-day meeting at the end of January. At 2.7%, measured in December, inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target.

Mike Scordeles, Trust’s head of U.S. economics, previously told USA TODAY that the decline in the unemployment rate from November to December dampened expectations for further cuts in the Fed’s benchmark interest rate.

“With unemployment remaining low, growth above trend, fiscal stimulus having an offsetting effect, and inflation above target, the Fed feels comfortable keeping interest rates on hold this month and likely over the next several meetings,” Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management, said in a statement to USA Today. “However, a disinflationary trend is gradually taking shape. As tariff pass-through effects become clearer and inflation concerns subside, the Fed is likely to shift to a stance that justifies one or two more rate cuts.”

Although the decision is not expected to be unanimous, forecasters now widely expect the Federal Open Market Committee to keep its target range for interest rates at 3.5% to 3.75%, following three consecutive rate cuts late last year.

The January meeting will be the first since news broke that the Justice Department was investigating Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, raising concerns about the central bank’s independence.

“While we do not expect this to change the near-term direction of monetary policy, it will make the job of the next Fed chair more difficult to build consensus among the 19 members of the Federal Open Market Committee,” Wells Fargo economists said in a Jan. 12 report on the federal survey.

This is a developing story and will be updated to add new information.

Contact Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com and follow her at X @rachelbarber_

Ashley Tisdale’s mom group drama, explained

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Ashley Tisdale’s mom group drama, explained

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Another day, another name added to the equation for Ashley Tisdale’s French Toxic Mother group.

Weeks after the “High School Musical” star wrote an essay for The Cut about her departure from what she characterized as a mom group with “toxic” bullying tendencies, “Real Housewives” alum Crystal Minkoff claims she knows some of the members.

Minkoff’s confession, made during an episode of her podcast Humble Brag, comes after a wave of online debate over whether Tisdale’s article was a hit piece written by an apathetic, disgruntled, one-time member of her friend group or a legitimate cry from young mothers demanding healthier ways of interacting.

Here’s what you need to know (maybe not, but want to know).

Ashley Tisdale’s essay claims ‘toxic’ mom groups, mean girl behavior

Although Tisdale’s original essay stopped short of naming the women in the group and claimed that she thought most of them were not bad people, her story depicts high school-style bullying aimed at ostracizing her.

Tisdale said the mom support group was formed by friends, many of whom had recently become mothers. The actress revealed that she felt “energized” and “sense of belonging” by being around fellow working mothers who are “finding a balance between fulfilling work and family life.”

But she said she began to notice that members frequently didn’t include her, planned group gatherings or intentionally didn’t extend invitations.

“This group seemed to have a pattern of leaving someone out, and that someone ended up being me,” she wrote.

But the actress insisted the story wasn’t about getting her own ax to grind, but about uplifting the voices of other women who are going through similar things.

“From the feedback I’ve received since I started talking about this, I know I’m not the only mom who was brought to tears by a group member who was supposed to be uplifting,” she wrote.

Hilary Duff’s husband Ashley Tisdale and why modern parenting is so messy

Hilary Duff’s husband throws shade at Ashley Tisdale amid mother drama

Many thought Tisdale was referring to a group that included Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore and Meghan Trainor.

After the essay was published, Tisdale’s publicist insisted that speculation about who was in the mom group was false, but Duff’s husband also spoke out earlier this month, seemingly confirming the online theory.

Ms Duff’s partner Matthew Koma hit back at Ms French by parodying her cover of The Cut on Instagram, but replaced the headline with “When you’re the most self-centered tone-deaf person on the planet, other mothers tend to shift their focus to their actual toddlers.”

Meghan Trainor breaks her silence on moms’ group drama

Trainor also responded on TikTok, but did not clarify his position. He captioned a video of himself reading a book engrossed on the internet, saying, “I just learned that it’s supposed to be a mom group drama,” and set the post to his song “Still Don’t Care.”

Crystal Minkoff joins Ashley Tisdale’s mother drama

On the Jan. 12 episode of the podcast, the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star said she already had experience with the “toxic” mother French referred to.

“I probably know 70 percent of the mother group because we all went to kindergarten together. We’re all in the same group,” Minkoff said. “One of them went to the same high school as us.”

“Everyone’s talking about it,” Minkoff said. Minkoff said, “I don’t really want to talk to them about it because it’s a personal thing for them,” but said, “I thought it was really interesting.”

“I posted a joke in a thread the other day, like, ‘Oh, this is what 2021 is like. I’ve been through this already.'” Minkoff went on to say that he was left out of the group when he joined the cast of RHOBH.

“What I found interesting is that Ashley’s story is that she left the group, but my story is that I didn’t leave the group,” she said. “They all turned on me and brought me down.” Minkoff said she feels conflicted about the situation because she knows some of the women in the group but not Tisdale, adding that she can empathize with both sides.

What enterprise AI buyers need to know

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What enterprise AI buyers need to know

Apple’s multi-year deal to integrate Google’s Gemini model into a revamped Siri provides a rare opportunity to see how one of the world’s most selective technology companies evaluates its underlying model, and its criteria should be important to any company considering a similar decision.

The stakes were high. Apple has been publicly integrating ChatGPT into its devices since late 2024, giving OpenAI a prominent position within the Apple Intelligence ecosystem.

Google’s Gemini win represents a shift in Apple’s AI infrastructure strategy, relegating OpenAI to what Parth Talsania, CEO of Equisights Research, describes as “a more complementary role, with ChatGPT remaining positioned for complex opt-in queries rather than the default intelligence layer.”

Interesting reviews

Apple’s reasoning was particularly specific. “After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models,” the joint statement said. Representation matters – Apple did not address the partnership’s convenience, pricing, or ecosystem compatibility. The company clearly framed this as a competency assessment.

Apple’s metrics likely reflect concerns familiar to any organization incorporating AI into its core products. These are: model performance at scale, inference latency, multimodal capabilities, and importantly, the ability to run models both on-device and in cloud environments while maintaining privacy standards.

Google’s technology is already powering Samsung’s Galaxy AI on millions of devices, providing proven adoption evidence at consumer scale. But Apple’s decision makes something else possible. It integrates into over 2 billion active devices with technical demands associated with Apple’s performance and privacy requirements.

Changes after ChatGPT integration

The timing is questionable. Apple announced ChatGPT integration about a year ago, allowing Siri to leverage chatbots for complex queries. Although the company now states that “there were no significant changes to the ChatGPT integration at that time,” the competitive dynamics have clearly changed.

OpenAI’s response to Google’s Gemini 3 release in late 2025 (what was reported as a “code red” to accelerate development) suggests that competitive pressures were real. For businesses, this highlights an often underestimated risk when selecting a vendor. The pace of advancement in model capabilities varies widely from provider to provider, and today’s leaders may not be able to maintain their position over multiple years of implementation.

Apple’s choice of a multi-year agreement with Google rather than maintaining the flexibility of switching between providers suggests confidence in Google’s development trajectory. This is a bet on sustained R&D investment, continuous model improvement, and infrastructure expansion, the same factors that enterprise buyers need to evaluate beyond current benchmarks.

infrastructure issues

This agreement raises immediate concerns about concentration. Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on social media, “Google also has Android and Chrome, so this seems like an unfair concentration of power.” This criticism reflects businesses’ legitimate concerns about vendor dependence.

Google is currently powering AI capabilities across both major mobile operating systems through a variety of mechanisms, including directly through Android and through this partnership on iOS. For companies deploying AI capabilities, relying on a single underlying model provider is tantamount to creating technical and commercial dependencies beyond immediate integration.

Therefore, Apple’s architectural approach is worth considering. The company emphasized that “Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and private cloud computing while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards.”

A hybrid deployment model (on-device processing for privacy-sensitive operations and cloud-based models for complex tasks) provides a template for enterprises to balance functionality and data governance requirements.

Market impact beyond mobile

The immediate impact of the deal was significant, with Alphabet’s market valuation exceeding US$4 trillion on Monday and its stock price rising 65% in 2024 on growing investor confidence in the company’s AI efforts. But the strategic implications extend beyond market capitalization.

Google has methodically built its position in the AI ​​stack with frontier models, image and video generation, and now default integration into iOS devices. For enterprises, this vertical integration is important when evaluating cloud AI services. The capabilities of a provider’s foundational model are increasingly tied to the positioning of its broader infrastructure, tools, and ecosystem.

Apple’s setbacks on the AI ​​front – slow upgrades to Siri, executive changes, lukewarm response to early generative AI tools – are instructive to look at from another angle. Even companies with vast resources and talent can struggle with running AI products. The decision to partner with Google, rather than continue development entirely on our own, recognizes the complexity and resource demands of frontier model development.

Relationship with search revenue

The deal with Gemini builds on an existing commercial relationship that generates tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue for Apple. Google pays to remain the default search engine on Apple devices. The deal is subject to regulatory scrutiny, but it sets a precedent for deep technology integration between the two companies.

Just as existing vendor relationships shape enterprise AI procurement, search contracts may have influenced negotiations surrounding the Gemini integration. These relationships can be advantages, such as established trust and proven integration capabilities, or they can be constraints that limit the evaluation of alternatives.

OpenAI questions

The deal puts OpenAI in an awkward position. ChatGPT is still available on Apple devices, but as an optional feature rather than an infrastructure layer. For a company that has established itself as a leader in AI, losing its default integration with Google represents a strategic setback.

Competitive dynamics remind us that the underlying model market remains fluid. Provider positions can change rapidly, and exclusive relationships between major players can reshape the options of other players. In a rapidly evolving market, maintaining options through abstraction layers, multi-model strategies, or portable architectures is more valuable.

what happens next

Google said the Gemini model will power “other future Apple Intelligence features” as well as an improved version of Siri coming later this year. As Apple builds out its AI capabilities, we expect the scope of integration to expand, create deeper technical dependencies, and increase the potential for partnerships.

Financial terms remain undisclosed, leaving questions about how Apple and Google will price deployments of this scale. Corporate buyers negotiating licenses for underlying models will be watching for any indication of how such deals will be priced at scale.

Apple’s decision doesn’t make Google’s Gemini the obvious choice for all businesses. But this deal provides verified evidence of what one highly selective technology company prioritized when evaluating its underlying models under stringent requirements. If enterprise AI buyers are conducting their own evaluations, this is a signal worth considering amidst the noise of vendor marketing and benchmarking leaderboards.

See also: Apple plans major updates to Siri with help from Google AI

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI ​​& Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event is part of TechEx and co-located with other major technology events. Click here for more information.

Minnesota, ICE, Iran, tariffs, transgender, flu, Aaron Rodgers, NFL: Daily Briefing

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Minnesota, ICE, Iran, tariffs, transgender, flu, Aaron Rodgers, NFL: Daily Briefing

morning! Welcome to the daily briefing. This morning’s breaking news is:

nicole farato Here’s the news you need to know on Tuesday. We meet a coalition of residents who stand up against ICE for their neighbors and tell their stories of colon cancer recovery. Plus, bad luck for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

ICE Watch trains neighbors to monitor and record

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement monitoring group launches a signal chat at 5 a.m. most mornings to track arrests and raids in south Minneapolis for another day.

This is the area where Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agents on January 7th. In recent weeks, people have been walking up and down Lake Street before work and on their lunch breaks, educating neighbors at grocery stores and bus stops about what their rights are if they are stopped by ICE, one of the organizers, Andrew Fahlstrom, 44, told USA TODAY. At school drop-offs and pick-ups, parents and neighbors carry whistles and are ready to blow when they see immigration officers. They take others to see doctors.

It is legal to monitor and film federal employees while on the job.

Trump administration officials refer to people who track ICE and warn neighbors as “domestic terrorists.” But as state officials clash with the Trump administration over Good’s killing, neighboring states continue their efforts. The states of Minnesota and Illinois on Monday sued Secretary of Landmark Kristi Noem for trying to curb the agency’s oppression.

Fahlstrom says they call themselves neighbors and have no intention of backing down.

More news you need to know right now

  • US air strikes on Iran are “under consideration”. Protests in Iran, sparked by the country’s economic slump due to years of international sanctions, have left hundreds dead and drawn condemnation from human rights groups. President Trump is considering military options in a country where violence continues.
  • “We’re screwed”: President Trump has warned of financial disaster for the United States if the Supreme Court rules that his sweeping tariffs on global imports are illegal.
  • Has your cough subsided? December was particularly difficult, with record numbers of medical visits, but the number of influenza cases has so far been on the decline since January. But please be careful.

Let’s take a look

Was it Aaron Rodgers’ last NFL game?

On Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans in the final game of the NFL Wild Card Round. The question that will remain throughout the offseason will be whether this was the last time Aaron Rodgers leaves a locker room as an NFL player. After the loss, Rodgers defended head coach Mike Tomlin’s departure. USA TODAY Sports ranked all eight remaining NFL teams based on playoff odds.

things to talk about

He beat stage 4 colorectal cancer

Philipp Felsman was given only a few years to live. The then 55-year-old was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in January 2025, and the prognosis was grim. But almost a year later, Felsman, 56, is now cancer-free. how? Treatments once considered niche have made a difference.

before going

Have feedback about the daily briefing? Email Nicole at NFallert@usatoday.com.

A truly wild opening match

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A truly wild opening match

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32 things we learned from the 2025 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Round:

0. Number of times the Houston Texans advanced to the conference championship game. They are the only team to never advance to the NFL.

1. The Texans had their first road playoff win in their 24-season history when they beat the Steelers 30-6 in Pittsburgh on Monday night. Houston can continue its string of first-time wins by winning the Divisional Round opener this weekend in New England… which would give the Texans their first appearance in the AFC Title Round.

2. Number of teams remaining in the playoffs that have never won a Super Bowl: Texans and Buffalo Bills.

3. Number of teams that have never won a Super Bowl…Teams that were left on brand after losing in the wild card round: Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers.

4. Houston’s CJ Stroud on Monday joined Otto Graham, Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson for the most quarterbacks in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of their first three seasons.

5. Also the number of consecutive playoff appearances the Philadelphia Eagles made under coach Nick Sirianni, and the number of postseason games they won at home under him before losing to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

6. Number of consecutive seasons Bills QB Josh Allen won a playoff game. Only Tom Brady (eight) and Patrick Mahomes (seven) have longer winning streaks, and while both have won multiple Super Bowls, there are still unanswered items on Allen’s to-do list.

7. The number of new division champions this season (Patriots, Steelers, Jaguars, Broncos, Bears, Panthers, Seahawks) compared to 2024 is tied for the most in a season since the NFL was realigned into eight districts in 2002.

8. Although the Eagles were the only repeat division champions and won the NFC East for the first time in 21 years, they failed to become the 10th team to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

9. Years since the Steelers’ most recent playoff win. Pittsburgh has now lost seven straight postseason games, trailing by at least 21 points in every game. No team had ever lost five games in a row by double digits in the playoffs.

10. Number of consecutive wins for the hot-blooded Texans heading into the divisional round. Let’s hope Houston wide receiver Nico Collins is able to return Sunday after being diagnosed with a concussion on Monday night.

11. NFL, can you please allow us to use alternate uniforms in the playoffs? Clearly, the Panthers, who were 3-2 this season wearing black helmets, and the Jaguars (4-0 in the “Prowler” throwback) just needed a little bit of confidence — which could come with a proper fit — or they probably would have won the game on their home field that resulted in a wild-card heartbreak. The Eagles didn’t lose a non-district game all year with their friendly Kelly Greens. (OK, so they didn’t use them in a non-district game in 2025 either.) And if both the Patriots and Chargers had chosen the throwback route, at least how much better would Sunday night’s slog have looked? I’m just saying.

12. The number of starting quarterbacks in these playoffs with first-round draft picks. Four of them (Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, the Rams’ Matthew Stafford, Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Carolina’s Bryce Young) were selected first overall and were the fourth to play in the postseason.

13. 49ers QB Brock Purdy’s jersey number. He is the only QB1 outside of Round 1 to survive Wild Card weekend. The 2022 draft’s “Mr. Irrelevant” got the best of Super Bowl 59 MVP (and 2020 second-rounder) Jalen Hurts.

14. Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s uniform number. They will be charged with leading top-seeded Seattle by defeating surging San Francisco in next week’s regional round.

14a. It also records Darnold’s regular-season wins in each of the past two seasons, but he’s still trying to get his first postseason win as a starter.

15. The jersey number of 49ers WR Jauan Jennings, who threw the best pass of Wild Card weekend.

16. This is the fourth time this season that the Seahawks have been the No. 1 seed, having reached the Super Bowl the other three times.

17. Purdy is 4-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle. I have to do something on Saturday.

18. As in 2018, which was the last season New England won a playoff game, the Patriots won Super Bowl 53, which was Tom Brady’s last championship with the organization.

19. It’s been years since the Bears last won multiple games in the same postseason…and the last time they made it to the Super Bowl.

20. Similar to Super Bowl XX, the 1985 Bears defeated the Patriots 46-10. What would happen if Chicago and New England met again on the Super Sunday stage to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Bears’ legendary coronation?

twenty one. Sticking with the ’85 Bears theme, the last time Chicago played the Rams in the playoffs was the ’85 season. The Bears won the NFC Championship Game 24-0.

twenty two. Is 2025 league MVP Matthew Stafford already the best quarterback in Rams history? That’s debatable, but his playoff numbers and wins allowed him to challenge two-time league MVP and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. Stafford and Warner are the only Rams QBs to win a Super Bowl.

twenty three. The number of times the Steelers won consecutive home games on “Monday Night Football” before being blown away by Houston. This is a winning streak dating back to 1992.

twenty four. The 49ers’ 40 playoff wins are the most in NFL history.

twenty five. The Patriots have won 38 games in the postseason, second most behind San Francisco.

26. Josh Allen > Josh Hynes-Allen.

27. The Bills’ victory in Jacksonville was the first postseason victory on the road since the 1992 playoffs, and it is also the only time Buffalo has won multiple road games in the same postseason.

28. The Bills next play at Denver. It’s a year after they defeated the Broncos 31-7 at Orchard Park in the wild-card round.

29. Chargers QB Justin Herbert has as many career playoff TD passes (two) as Jennings, who hit one on a similar trick play in Super Bowl 58.

30. Aaron Rodgers has 45 total TD passes in the postseason…but his only one was against the Texans on Monday night, and that pick-six could be the last of his illustrious career.

31. In summary, we were blessed with a great round of wild card games, even if the last two games weren’t as good as the first four. Here’s hoping the divisional round goes well, the best weekend of NFL football for many fans.

32. But let’s end with a shout-out to 49ers tight end George Kittle, who tore his Achilles tendon Sunday against Philadelphia. Gut for Kittle, gut for his teammates, gut for NFL fans who not only recognize him as one of the best players in the league, but an even better player off the field. Be well, Goalkeeper, and take comfort in the knowledge that your beloved teammates are doing their best in your name.

All your NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th Monday Newsletter.

Michigan CEO resigns after comments made at anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis

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Michigan CEO resigns after comments made at anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis

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A video circulating online shows a Michigan man shouting, “We executed one of them yesterday” at an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, a day after a mother of three was shot in the head by an immigration officer in Minnesota.

The video contains explicit language and shows Jayden Scott of Bay City screaming at protesters on January 8 in response to the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation on January 7.

“The storm has come…no one can stop what’s coming,” Scott said in the video, before calling anti-ICE protesters “(expletive) terrorists” and urging others to join him. “Patriots get out of here. We need backup.”

“All you liberals, you communist moms (expletive), stay out of it or you’re going to get hurt today, okay? We executed one of you yesterday,” he continued.

On January 10, Mr. Scott announced on LinkedIn that he has resigned as CEO and founder of Harmony Investment Group, a Troy-based private healthcare investment firm and exploration fund platform.

“Given recent developments in the United States, the Board of Directors and I have decided that we have different views on the future of the United States,” he said on LinkedIn. “It was a great run.”

more: Protesters call on Detroit City Council and mayor to halt ICE operations

more: Hundreds of people protest against ICE killing of Renee Goode at Hart Plaza protest

The video of Scott’s remarks has drawn criticism online, with many users posting disapproval and negative comments on Scott’s social media accounts and LinkedIn.

The Detroit Free Press reached out to Scott, Harmony Investment Group and Scott’s former business partner for comment, but did not receive a response as of press time.

Who is ICE Watch and the people monitoring immigration arrests?

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Who is ICE Watch and the people monitoring immigration arrests?

Neighbors of Renee Nicole Good say ICE has no plans to stop monitoring her.

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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement monitoring group launches a signal chat at 5 a.m. most mornings to track arrests and raids in south Minneapolis for another day.

Homemade checkpoints made from blue recycled boxes have already been set up near Powderhorn Park. Residents check license plates and flag vehicles they don’t recognize or think may be occupied by ICE agents. Andrew Fahlstrom, 44, one of the organizers, said these vehicles typically drive right past volunteers waving to them to slow down.

At school drop-offs and pick-ups, parents and neighbors carry whistles and are ready to blow when they see immigration officers. After that, they will deliver groceries to neighbors who are afraid to leave their homes and take others to the hospital.

This is the area where Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agents on January 7th.

It has been the target of the harshest immigration crackdown in the past six weeks and, like many communities in Minneapolis, is home to a coalition of residents who decided they needed to stand up for their neighbors when ICE arrived.

Good, like others in her community, stopped by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation near her home in Minneapolis. Video suggested she was leaving the scene when she was shot, but Vice President J.D. Vance and Homeland Security officials accused her of using her car as a weapon and that agents fired in self-defense. Mr. Vance reposted the video shot by the agents to strengthen the administration’s position.

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New angle on deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis

A new perspective on the ICE shooting in Minneapolis.

Her death sparked immediate protests and vigils in cities large and small across the country, drawing tens of thousands of Americans and reigniting debate over the tactics used by community groups to monitor ICE enforcement operations.

In recent days, Trump administration officials have called Good and others “domestic terrorists” for tracking ICE and warning neighborhoods.

Fahlstrom said they call themselves neighbors and aren’t backing down.

“No one is deterred. What I’m seeing is more people’s eyes becoming clearer,” Fahlstrom told USA TODAY. “The murder of Renee Good made it clear to everyone in the city just how dangerous and disorganized this group of armed operatives really is.”

He lives six blocks from where Good was killed. When he was at the checkpoint, he heard the sound of a siren and the signal chat turned on.

Fahlstrom said that in recent weeks, people have been walking up and down Lake Street before work and on their lunch breaks, and at grocery stores and bus stops to educate their neighbors about what their rights are if they are stopped by ICE. He added that the morning after Goode’s death, he observed four arrests and 12 ICE vehicles on Lake Street alone in two hours.

When what appears to be an ICE vehicle arrives, a cacophony of car horns and whistles follows them everywhere, and a furious text chain announces their location. A crowd quickly gathers, taking pictures and sometimes heckling the agents.

When ICE makes an arrest, neighbors loudly ask for the arrestee’s name and phone number. They comb through the cars left behind to identify information that will help them contact the abductee’s family.

ICE Watch trains neighbors to monitor and record

Since the first year of President Trump’s first term, immigrant advocates have been preparing for a time when communities will need vigilance and support systems. Jill Garvey, co-director of States at the Core, which organizes the virtual ICE Watch and Community Defense training program, said they employ nonviolent “cop watch” tactics popularized during the civil rights era, including monitoring and recording police activity and preparing multiple incident reports to supplement the official narrative.

ICE Watch began a year ago, before enforcement tactics ramped up, when local organizers asked for some training on what to do when that moment came, she said.

State at the Core’s training focuses on monitoring ICE operations and assisting by obtaining names and contact information for arrested individuals. It also provides information about the rights of lifeguards, how they can get into trouble, such as interfering with an arrest or contacting police, and how to de-escalate the situation.

It is legal to monitor and film federal employees while on the job.

Garvey said more than 10,000 Americans from large cities to rural areas have received ICE Watch training since President Trump took office last year, but that implementation appears to vary by region.

And communities have learned from each other. When ICE went into effect in other Democratic-controlled cities like Los Angeles and Chicago last year, whistles quickly became the soundtrack to ICE arrest videos. After that, it became popular to follow the vehicles of agents while honking their horns.

The day after Goode’s death, more than 1,000 Minneapolis residents signed up for Community Defense and ICE Watch training, according to State at the Core.

“Domestic terrorism”

The Trump administration has accused the group that monitors and tracks ICE of unfairly hindering the agency’s ability to complete immigration removals.

Fahlstrom said Good’s spouse was also present in the Powderhorn/Phillips area chat, adding that he did not know the extent of their involvement.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Goode of “domestic terrorism” in multiple interviews on January 11.

On January 12, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt told reporters that Good was a “madman who was part of an organized group that interfered with and disrupted law enforcement operations.”

Days earlier, Levitt said that President Donald Trump supports ICE and that “this deadly incident comes as a result of a larger, more sinister left-wing movement that is sweeping across our nation and exposing the brave men and women of our federal law enforcement agencies to systematic attacks.”

Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, told conservative broadcaster Newsmax that the clashes will continue as long as Americans continue to challenge immigration authorities.

“We need to make some progress on the fact that people need to stop demonstrating, stop yelling at law enforcement, stop challenging law enforcement, and start being civil,” he said. “Until we do that, I think it’s going to stay this way, but people who are doing the right thing by staying at home need to be protected.”

But Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota, said the use of coercive tactics, including plans to send hundreds more ICE agents to Minneapolis, is undermining the president’s support among Americans who want tougher immigration enforcement and a tougher border.

“It kind of confirms what the protesters are saying, so much so that the state of Minnesota in Central America is saying, ‘Wait, this isn’t right,'” he said.

“I see neighborhoods coming together in ways we’ve never seen before.”

Fahlstrom said as many of his neighbors are delivering meals, helping with shopping and dropping their kids off to school as he is recording ICE.

He works with Defend the 612, which helps connect people within the Minneapolis area code with hundreds of small neighborhood groups involved in rapid response, school protection patrols, and community assistance programs.

“I see neighborhoods coming together in a way we haven’t seen before,” Fahlstrom said. “I can’t tell you how many people have since responded to these raids and gone on to do jobs they never imagined they would be doing, such as finding out where children go, getting into someone’s car after they’ve been kidnapped…trying to find their next contact or next of kin.”

What engagement looks like varies from person to person, he said. Not everyone feels comfortable filming ICE agents or begging arrested people to provide family contact information.

A father and three children work for ICE. why do that

Flannery Clark, 42, a Powderhorn parent, said parents and community members are outside nearly every school in the Twin Cities dropping off and picking up children, monitoring ICE and communicating with school administrators.

They stand guard at schools even when children are not attending. Clark, who has an elementary school-aged child, said she was pepper-sprayed at Roosevelt High School when ICE arrived hours after Goode’s death.

Parents and community members are arranging transportation to school, delivering groceries and collecting rent for people who are afraid to go to work, she said.

“It’s amazing that thousands of ordinary people are doing this organizing. It’s not some magical outside group doing this. It’s just Minnesotans saying, ‘These are our neighbors, we’re going to take care of them,'” she said.

Goode’s death hasn’t changed her willingness to get involved.

“We’re all very aware of the risks, but this is one of those moments where I really believe we need to do the right thing and approach it knowing what the risks are,” Clark said.

on the road

Venus de Mars and her wife, Lynette Rainey-Grandell, are ICE observers who live on the same Minneapolis block where Goode died. They recorded the aftermath.

The couple often roams the area with their cell phones and 3D-printed pink whistles. Since ICE arrived six weeks ago, the neighborhood’s Signal group chats have been buzzing, and they’re busier than ever.

De Mars said the couple was more anxious than afraid, respectfully acknowledging that “our immigrant neighbors are scared.”

“We might feel a little more protected because we’re white,” Raini Grandel said.

“That’s not guaranteed,” De Mars countered, shaking his head. “Especially after they killed her.”

Contributors: Terry Collins and Michael Loria, USA TODAY

How to find out which federal tax bracket you fall into

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How to find out which federal tax bracket you fall into

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Tax season is almost upon us, and millions of Americans will soon be focusing on their taxes.

Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces new tax brackets, or tiers of income, that are taxed at different rates under our country’s progressive tax system. Understanding tax categories is key to predicting the taxes you will owe.

Taxes are taxed at progressively higher rates depending on each level of income. The lowest income bracket pays the lowest tax rate, and the next highest income bracket pays a slightly higher rate. The higher your taxable income, the higher your tax rate, but the top tax rate applies only to the highest income bracket reached.

Tax rates also increase with inflation. The 2025 bracket that will be reflected on your 2026 tax return will be slightly higher than the 2024 bracket.

How do tax classifications work?

Let’s say you earn $75,000 in taxable income in 2025 and are single. On the first $11,925 of that income, you’ll pay the minimum tax rate of 10% in 2025. For income brackets between $11,926 and $48,475, you’ll pay a 12% tax rate. On all income above $48,475, you’ll pay taxes at a much higher rate of 22%.

There are a total of seven tax rates, each with a different tax rate.

The IRS uses inflation data to adjust your tax bracket for the next tax year. If you get a raise in 2025 to keep up with inflation, you’ll probably have to pay taxes at about the same rate as you did in 2024, all else being equal. If your salary has increased faster than inflation, you may be sneaking into a higher tax bracket. If wages don’t keep up with inflation, you may top out at a lower tier.

What is the top tax rate?

The top tax rate for individuals is 37%. In 2025, it will apply to single taxpayers earning more than $626,350. For married people filing jointly, the top tax rate is $751,601 in income.

Tax classification in 2025

The following 2025 tax brackets apply to tax returns filed in 2026:

For individual filers:

◾ 37% for taxable income over $626,350.

◾ 35% for income over $205,525.

◾ 32% for income over $197,300.

◾ 24% for income over $103,350.

◾ 22% for income over $48,475.

◾ 12% for income over $11,925.

◾ 10% on income up to $11,925.

For married couples filing jointly:

◾ 37% for taxable income over $751,600.

◾ 35% for income over $501,050.

◾ 32% if income exceeds $394,600.

◾ 24% if income exceeds $206,700.

◾ 22% for income over $96,950.

◾ 12% for income over $23,850.

◾ 10% on income up to $23,850.

Head of household tax classification

For tax purposes, the IRS typically defines the head of household as the parent who is responsible for more than half of the household’s expenses. Household heads have higher income thresholds than individual filers in each tax bracket to account for the additional costs they incur.

The household tax categories for 2025 are as follows:

◾ 37% for taxable income over $626,350.

◾ 35% for income over $250,500.

◾ 32% for income over $197,300.

◾ 24% for income over $103,350.

◾ 22% for income over $64,850.

◾ 12% for income over $17,000.

◾ 10% on income up to $17,000.

Tax category: 2026 and 2025

The IRS has already announced your 2026 tax bracket, which means the taxes you’ll be filing in 2027.

The 2026 tax brackets for individual filers are:

  • 37% if income exceeds $640,600.
  • 35% for income over $256,225.
  • 32% for income over $201,775.
  • 24% for incomes over $105,700.
  • 22% for incomes over $50,400.
  • 12% for incomes over $12,400.
  • 10% for income up to $12,400.

And the tax brackets for 2026 for married couples filing jointly are as follows:

  • 37% for incomes over $768,700.
  • 35% for income over $512,450.
  • 32% if income exceeds $403,550.
  • 24% for incomes over $211,400.
  • 22% if income exceeds $100,800.
  • 12% for incomes of $24,800 or more.
  • 10% on incomes up to $24,800.

How can I lower my tax rate?

There are many ways to lower your taxes. If you’re married, filing jointly with your spouse may result in lower taxes. Alternatively, depending on your income and circumstances, you can lower your tax rate by filing an individual tax return.

Another way to lower your taxes is to contribute to a 401(k). Doing so will reduce your taxable income. If your employer doesn’t offer a 401(k), contributions to a traditional individual retirement account may qualify for a tax deduction, which may also lower your deduction amount.

Daniel de Visse covers personal finance for USA Today

Rivals vie for President Trump’s attention and right to rule Venezuela

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Rivals vie for President Trump’s attention and right to rule Venezuela

A socialist and a Nobel Prize winner are at odds, pitting each other against each other and trying to prove that each is the best partner for Trump.

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  • Delcy Rodriguez has been appointed interim leader of Venezuela following the ouster of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States.
  • Political rivals Delcy Rodriguez and Maria Colina Machado are currently battling over US President Donald Trump’s support.
  • Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is scheduled to meet with Trump, who has publicly expressed doubts about his leadership.
  • Rodriguez has a history of involvement in the Trump administration and is considered “very cooperative” by the White House.

WASHINGTON — One is a wise and savvy political operative. Although she sometimes rubs people the wrong way, she deftly navigates Venezuela’s power hierarchy. She is currently the country’s interim leader after the US forcibly removed President Nicolas Maduro.

The other is a former congressman and activist who led the opposition against President Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chávez. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which the committee awarding the honor described as her “tireless fight for peace.” Many Venezuelans expected her to take charge of the country after the fall of Maduro’s regime.

Delcy Rodriguez and Maria Colina Machado are Venezuela’s most prominent politicians. Political rivals Rodriguez and Machado are key figures in the Latin American nation’s nascent power vacuum. Both men deeply understand that their future, and the future of their country, is tied to winning the support of one man: Donald J. Trump.

Machado, who lives in hiding outside Venezuela, is expected to bring her charm to Washington later this week. She is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on Thursday, January 15th. This is the first meeting since October 10 last year. It was the same day she was announced as the Nobel Peace Prize winner, which President Trump had been lobbying for.

A meeting between President Trump and Rodriguez is not scheduled, but the administration said it had been in regular contact with Rodriguez in the months leading up to Maduro’s removal. President Trump said he hopes to travel to Venezuela and meet with Rodriguez once the situation calms down.

Machado and Trump’s sit-in came two weeks after members of the U.S. Army’s elite clandestine unit, operating under cover of darkness, raided Maduro’s mansion in Caracas, captured him and his wife, Cilia Flores, and took them to New York on drug trafficking charges.

For Machado, a visit to the White House could be a make-or-break situation. Venezuelans have long believed that if Maduro were to fall, the next president would be Machado or Edmundo González Urrutia, who ran for president after being banned by the government. González won the 2024 election, but Maduro refused to accept the result and declared himself the winner.

Hours after Mr. Maduro’s arrest on January 3, President Trump held a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida, mansion, dispelling the idea that Mr. Machado would become Venezuela’s next president.

“I think it will be very difficult for her to be a leader,” he told reporters. “She doesn’t have any support or respect in the country. She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have any respect.”

more: America first? What President Trump’s surprising arrest of Maduro tells us.

Multiple media outlets reported that a confidential CIA analysis concluded that Rodriguez, Venezuela’s vice president, was best placed to lead a transitional government in Caracas if Maduro was removed from office. President Trump said a U.S. team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will run Venezuela until a safe and appropriate transition of power is achieved.

Rodriguez was officially sworn in as interim president on January 5.

Machado missed an opportunity to rally support.

For Machado, who has been an outspoken critic of Maduro’s party since first coming to power under Chavez in 1998, Trump’s comments were not only a serious blow to the Venezuelan party’s campaign. They were a sign that she misread important signals and missed other opportunities in her efforts to garner U.S. support.

Machado, known by her supporters as Venezuela’s “Iron Lady,” spent months trying to win Trump over, even dedicating the Nobel Peace Prize to him for “unwavering support for our cause.” Machado last week suggested he would present his award to Trump, but the Norwegian institute that bestows the honor threw cold water on the idea, saying the award is permanent and final and cannot be transferred to another person.

more: Maduro ran toward the door as U.S. troops swooped in. President Trump’s attacks shock the world.

Other opportunities to curry favor with the Trump administration were ignored.

Machado, who speaks English, declined a request to meet with President Trump’s personal envoy Richard Grenell early last year. Grenell was tasked with exploring potential oil deals with the Maduro regime and conducting diplomatic negotiations with the regime to secure the release of Americans detained in Venezuela.

According to the New York Times, Grenell also contacted Machado, who agreed to speak by phone instead of meeting in person. Relations between the two sides deteriorated over time, the paper said, with Machado and his team ignoring Grenell’s requests for a list of political prisoners and growing frustrated that Grenell did not offer concrete ideas on how to bring a democratically elected government to power.

Grenell did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez has been working behind the scenes for years to win President Trump’s support.

Rodriguez, who was Venezuela’s finance minister when Trump won his first term in 2016, ordered Citgo, a subsidiary of the state oil company, to donate $500,000 to Trump’s inaugural committee, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Rodriguez is fluent in English and reportedly lived in Santa Monica, California, during college. The daughter of a leftist guerrilla leader who was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of an American businessman, she served as Maduro’s communications minister, later as foreign minister and vice president.

After President Maduro promoted her to vice president in 2018, her portfolio expanded to include managing much of Venezuela’s oil economy. Tasked with managing U.S. sanctions against the country’s most important industry, Rodriguez abolished price controls, spearheaded an anti-corruption campaign, gradually helped increase oil production and introduced other reforms that endeared him to much of the country’s business community.

more: Marco Rubio, who dreamed of overthrowing Venezuelan President Maduro, takes office.

Delcy Rodriguez swoops in after Maduro is captured

After Maduro was captured, President Rodriguez condemned the US attack, calling it a “brutal attack.” But she soon took a more conciliatory tone, saying she wanted to move toward a balanced and respectful relationship with the United States. She called on the U.S. government to work together on the “cooperation agenda.”

Meanwhile, Machado slammed Rodriguez during a television interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity.

“As you know, Delcy Rodriguez is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption and drug trafficking,” Machado said. “She’s a key ally, a liaison with Russia, China, Iran, and she’s certainly not someone that can be trusted by international investors. And she’s actually been rejected, and she’s been rejected by the Venezuelan people.”

But the Trump administration is encouraged by what it has seen so far from Rodriguez.

Asked on January 11 if Trump had confidence in Rodriguez, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said last week’s events show Trump has a correct assessment of what should happen in Venezuela.

She said Rodriguez and his team have been “very cooperative” with the United States, as evidenced by President Trump’s commitment to oil deals and the release of political prisoners.

“We’ve seen an excellent level of cooperation, and the president expects that to continue,” Levitt told reporters at the White House.

Uriel Epstein, executive director of the Renew Democracy Initiative, a nonprofit organization that runs programs that unite dissidents around the world, said during his meeting with Trump that Machado needed to convince Trump that “the only way to actually ensure stability” is for the opposition to be in power.

For example, Exxon’s CEO said last week that Venezuela is currently uninvestable. Epstein, who is close to the Venezuelan opposition, said Machado needs to explain that as long as Rodriguez remains in charge of the country, that won’t change.

“Protecting and supporting the opposition is therefore not only about doing the morally right thing, but also about achieving the objectives set by Trump himself,” he said.

more: ‘Uninvestable’: Oil majors doubt President Trump’s promotion of Venezuela without major changes

What is your plan to run Venezuela?

Alexander Gray, who served as chief of staff on the National Security Council during Trump’s first term, said Trump’s efforts with the transitional government were about managing the country in the short term during Maduro’s transition.

“They have a real logistical challenge in that the Venezuelan opposition doesn’t have a single person who has been in the role of running Venezuela for 25 years,” he said. “I don’t think it’s realistic to come in and try to take over the immediate role.”

Gray said Machado should have “reasonable expectations” about when it makes sense to bring rebels back into the country and should arrive with a “very clear sense” of what he wants from the United States to help achieve democracy.

This includes presenting a national selection committee dominated by regime-friendly judges and a plan to reform the judicial system.

“There are so many obstacles and challenges that need to be resolved here before it makes sense to announce this massive democratic transition,” said Gray, a non-resident fellow at the nonpartisan Atlantic Council think tank. “So I think she needs to be clear with the American people what it takes to realistically be in a position to make that transition happen.”

more: Who’s next? President Trump hints at military intervention beyond Venezuela

What’s next for the United States, Gray said, is “rather than picking and choosing the opposition, it’s working with the current administration to get them to do things that allow for a transition.”

It’s not about Machado or Rodriguez, he said.

“The key is to have a partner who is willing to work with us on this transition and do what we need to do in the short term immediately,” he said.

Contributor: Lauren Villagran

Michael Collins writes about the intersection of politics and culture. He is a veteran reporter who has covered the White House and Congress. Follow him on X: @mcollinsNEWS

Francesca Chambers is USA TODAY’s White House correspondent covering foreign policy. Follow her on X: @fran_chambers

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