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OP-ED: They’ve Let the Devil Back In: The Repercussions of Donald Trump’s Re-Election

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Choosing Trump means that America has placed its faith in a man who trafficks in chaos, corruption, and crime. He is not the solution to our problems; he is a reflection of the underbelly of this country—a society so fractured and jaded that it’s willing to entrust its future to a man it would never let babysit their own children.

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2 years ago

November 11, 2024

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By A. Scott Bolden

“Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they have done.”

In a stunning turn of events, America has once again found its neck under Donald Trump’s foot—a figure with a history that should make any truly patriotic American pause. Instead, voters have chosen to dance with the devil they know (and, apparently, miss). They’ve chosen to forego their own interests in the name of “change.”

It’s a choice that, maybe this time, we will come to regret.

Trump’s re-election has made it clear that we underestimated the power that economic anxiety has in shaping voter decisions. While many of us assumed that the protection of democracy and the core American values of choice and freedom would take precedence, the stark reality is that the fear of inflation, food, gas, and housing costs won out. People voted with their feelings instead of their minds, and Trump masterfully exploited this, offering hollow promises to “fix” it all without any real plan.

Just as he did before, he leaned into his manufactured, fabricated persona—a successful businessman, a fixer, a man of the people—and even more Americans bought the con again.

But let’s be real: this isn’t a man who knows what he’s doing. He’s not a planner or a visionary; Donald Trump is a liar. He’s a con artist, plain and simple. We saw his inaction on healthcare reform during the pandemic, his disastrous pre-pandemic tariff policies that economists almost universally criticized, and his complete disregard for the truth the entirety of his presidential tenure.

Does character even matter anymore in seeking America’s highest office? America: you voted for him; you now own him. Now what?

Now, he’s back with Project 2025, deputizing loyalists like Stephen Miller to reinforce a conservative agenda that’s dangerously extreme. With fewer guardrails this time around, Trump is poised to impose an agenda that could reshape our Democracy for generations to come—and not for the better.

Another Trump presidency means that Black and Brown communities could once again find themselves marginalized even further, but he somehow made significant inroads in urban centers and among Latino and Black voters—a shocking and sobering fact. It seems the Democratic Party took these communities for granted, assuming their loyalty without taking meaningful steps to address the everyday issues impacting their lives. Dem strategists wrongfully believed that Trump, with his history of bigotry and divisive rhetoric, would translate into a common sense vote for Harris.

But for voters grappling with soaring living costs and stagnant wages, Trump’s promises, however empty, offered a glimmer of hope that the Democrats, regrettably, failed to provide.

Trump sold himself as the answer to America’s problems, yet he offers only the same lies: he is the only one that can end the wars, fix inflation, bring down food and gas prices, and make life affordable, again.

How, exactly? I don’t know. These are the same promises he made years ago, and we’re still waiting for those results.

This time, he’ll have even more power to push through his agenda without fear of accountability: the House flipped red, the Senate flipped red, and the Supreme Court is already red–coming down with a decision that offers him protection from many criminal prosecutions. The guardrails that once kept him somewhat in check are now gone.

We’re about to see Trump unhinged and unleashed: backed by a court that’s aligned with his vision and a Congress ready to do his bidding, ready to turn back the clock on progress under the guise of “saving” America. Plus, expect another round of conservative federal judicial appointments blessed by the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation.

Why do people vote against their own interests? Why do they ignore the acute, undeniable flaws in a man like Donald Trump?

It comes down to ignorance and despair, plain and simple.

When people feel disempowered, when they see no real improvement in their lives despite positive economic indicators, they gravitate towards strong, unfiltered rhetoric. Trump presents himself as a man outside the system, a disruptor who will fight for the average American. And so, many Americans—jaded and desperate for change—chose to embrace the “devil” they know, believing that maybe, just maybe, this time he’ll be different.

But he won’t be different. Donald Trump was never the man that they thought he was, and he never will be. This is the same man who suffers from deep narcissism, chronic business failure, who’s been found liable for fraud and sexual abuse, and who stoked the flames of division and discord to further his own agenda. This is the man who led America to one of its darkest moments on January 6th, 2021.

This is a convicted felon 34 times over. And somehow America still voted for him. In a strange way, this says more about America than it could ever say about Trump. We know who Trump is—is this really who America is and wants to be today and has always been?

To believe that he’s somehow learned his lesson or will suddenly care about the quality of life for all Americans is to ignore the mountain of evidence to the contrary. America is not getting a new and improved Trump; it’s getting a more experienced version of the same divisive, self-serving con man.

The repercussions of this election will be felt deeply in the coming years. America will see a reversal of healthcare reform, human rights, civil rights, climate regulation and other constitutional safeguards as Trump and his cronies take over. The marginalized communities that once looked to the government as a bulwark may now find it to be an assailant, with policies that prioritize corporate interests and the wealthy at the expense of the working class.

This election has exposed a painful truth about America: we are willing to overlook character and competence, even racism and sexism when we feel desperate for change. But be clear—this is not the kind of change we need.

Those who voted for Trump may/will come to regret their decision, that he never cared about the average American and that he was always in it for himself. But the realization will have been too late. The damage will have been irreparably completed. Policies, once enacted, can take decades to reverse, and the scars left on our democracy will take generations to heal, if at all.

Choosing Trump means that America has placed its faith in a man who trafficks in chaos, corruption, and crime. He is not the solution to our problems; he is a reflection of the underbelly of this country—a society so fractured and jaded that it’s willing to entrust its future to a man it would never let babysit their own children.

As I write this, I hope I’m wrong. I sincerely, deeply hope that Trump proves me and every critic wrong, that he somehow rises to the occasion and becomes the leader we need. But history tells a different story, and I can’t help but brace myself for what’s to come.

May God Bless America, especially for the next four (4) years.

A. Scott Bolden is the former Chair of the DC Democratic Party and a NewsNation political contributor.

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2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring Review — Is This $136K EV Sedan Worth It?

AUTONETWORK ON BLACKPRESSUSA — Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, but it still feels elegant instead of trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Published

1 week ago

May 3, 2026

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The 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring is the kind of luxury EV that makes people stop and ask a simple question: Is this really better than a Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQS, or BMW i7? At $136,150, it has to do more than look futuristic. It has to feel special every time you get in it.

Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, yet it still feels elegant rather than trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Inside is where the Air Grand Touring really makes its case. The 34-inch Glass Cockpit Display and retractable Pilot Panel screen give the cabin a clean, modern look that still feels different from other EVs. The Tahoe Extended Leather and Lucid Black Alcantara headliner lifts the sense of occasion, and the front seats are a highlight. They are 20-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and include massage. That matters because luxury buyers at this price expect comfort first.

Rear passengers are not ignored either. You get 5-zone heated rear seating, a rear center console display, and power rear and rear side window sunshades. Add in the Surreal Sound Pro system with 21 speakers, and the Air feels like a true long-distance luxury sedan.

Lucid also gives this car serious EV hardware. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, 900V+ charging architecture, and Wunderbox onboard charger are big talking points. Buyers in this segment care about range, charging speed, and everyday ease, not just raw performance. That is where the Lucid continues to stand out.

On the technology side, the Air Grand Touring includes DreamDrive Premium, with 3D Surround View Monitoring, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park In and Out, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Driver Monitoring System with distracted and drowsy driver alerts. This one also has DreamDrive Pro, which adds future-capable ADAS hardware.

There are still some real-world annoyances. Based on your notes, the windshield wiper control is hard to find and use, and that matters more than people think in a high-tech car. When controls become less intuitive, even a beautiful interior can feel frustrating.

Still, the 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring succeeds where it matters most. It feels luxurious, advanced, comfortable, and thoughtfully engineered. For buyers who want an EV sedan that feels truly premium and less common than the usual choices, this Lucid makes a very strong case.

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Snoop Dogg Celebrates 10 Til’ Midnight at the Compound

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles.

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1 week ago

May 3, 2026

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Snoop Dogg celebrated the premiere of 10 Til’ Midnight at his Inglewood recording studio & multipurpose facility, The Compound, but the night felt like much more than an album release. It felt like Los Angeles. It felt like legacy. And it felt like another major move from one of the city’s greatest cultural architects as he continues to prove that he is not just dropping music — he is building moments, shaping narratives, and pushing the culture forward in real time.

What made the event so powerful was the clarity behind the vision. During a panel conversation with DJ Hed, Snoop opened up about the heart behind 10 Til’ Midnight, explaining that the project was created to help bridge older and younger generations while also speaking to the long-standing divisions between Bloods and Crips in a unique way through film. That alone gave the project a different kind of weight. This was not just about songs. This was about using creativity as a tool for connection. This was about taking a story rooted in Los Angeles and telling it in a way that could bring people together.

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles. The film was shot in the city, including at WePlay Studios in Inglewood, which gave the entire project an even deeper hometown feel. It was not just a West Coast story in content — it was a Los Angeles-made production from the ground up.

That matters because, in a city like this, authenticity still carries weight. Snoop understands how to make sure that what he creates does not just represent Los Angeles on the surface, but actually comes from it.

What also makes 10 Til’ Midnight significant is that it represents another major step in Snoop’s evolution as both an artist and executive. Public reporting around the project identifies it as his 22nd studio album, but the bigger story is what it represents in this season of his life. This is one of several consecutive moves he has made in his 50s that show he is still building, still expanding, and still finding new ways to reinvent what the next chapter looks like.

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Now, as the head of Death Row Records and the newly aligned leader of Death Row Pictures, he is taking the brand into a new dimension. That is what made this moment feel bigger than music. Snoop is not just protecting the legacy of Death Row — he is stretching it. He is expanding it beyond records and into film, visual storytelling, and larger creative worlds that can continue carrying the label’s impact forward. Public reporting has noted that this project arrives as part of that broader cinematic push.

That is a major Los Angeles move because the city has always been built on the intersection of music, film, neighborhood identity, and cultural storytelling. With 10 Til’ Midnight, Snoop is leaning all the way into that intersection.

The room at The Compound reflected that. It felt like a private premiere, but it also felt like a statement — a reminder that Snoop Dogg’s staying power has never been based only on nostalgia. It comes from his ability to remain connected, remain visionary, and remain in tune with how to move the culture without losing the essence of who he is.

That is why this premiere mattered. It was not just about celebrating another album. It was about witnessing a Los Angeles legend continue to evolve, continue to unify, and continue to use art to tell stories that hit deeper than entertainment alone.

In that sense, 10 Til’ Midnight became more than a project launch. It became another example of how Snoop Dogg is still taking Los Angeles to the next level — using music, film, and legacy together to build something bigger than a moment.

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OP-ED: Small Businesses Need Minnesota to Act on Pass-Through Tax Policy

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN RECORDER — A Twin Cities immigrant entrepreneur who built several businesses including grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to extend the Pass-Through Entity tax option before it expires, warning that its loss would hit small businesses already recovering from Operation Metro Surge with higher federal tax bills.

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1 week ago

May 3, 2026

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A Twin Cities Small Business Owner Is Urging Minnesota to Extend a Tax Policy That Could Save Thousands of Businesses

By Daniel Hernandez | Minnesota Spokesman Recorder

I came to the United States as a teenager with a clear goal: to build something meaningful through hard work. I put in long days in construction, restaurants, and landscaping; doing whatever it took to learn, save, and eventually start my own business.

Over time, I built and ran several successful ventures, including an event photography company, a magazine, a tax and accounting firm, and now grocery stores serving neighborhoods across the Twin Cities where other retailers chose not to invest. I’ve created jobs, supported families, and committed to communities that deserve stability and opportunity.

That’s why I’m speaking out now.

Small business owners in Minneapolis and the communities we serve are recovering from serious disruptions, including the impacts of Operation Metro Surge. That event hit immigrant communities especially hard. In my own case, I lost nearly half of my 60 employees and saw revenue drop by about 85%. While I worked to provide competitive wages, health benefits, and paid time off, the real hardship fell on the people who lost their jobs and income.

Even as we rebuild, small businesses are facing another challenge. The Minnesota Legislature is considering letting an important tax policy expire: the Pass-Through Entity tax option.

Here’s what that means in plain terms.

Many small businesses, including mine, are pass-through businesses. That means the business itself doesn’t pay income tax. Instead, the owners report the income on their personal tax returns. But under current federal rules, there’s a limit on how much state tax we can deduct. That often leads to higher federal tax bills.

The Pass-Through Entity option fixes that. It allows the business to pay the state tax directly, which means the business can fully deduct those taxes on its federal return and lower the total amount of income taxed federally. The result is straightforward: small business owners pay less in federal taxes, without reducing what the state collects.

This policy is not new or controversial. Thirty-six states already offer it. It doesn’t cost Minnesota anything, it’s revenue neutral. And it benefits more than 66,000 businesses across the state.

In a state where the cost of doing business is already high, it’s hard to understand why we wouldn’t offer the same basic tax treatment as states like California and Illinois.

Small businesses have carried a heavy load in recent years, through a pandemic, rising costs and public safety disruptions. We’ve adapted, reinvested and stayed committed to our communities. What we need now are practical policies that support that work, not make it harder.

If the Minnesota House does not act soon, many businesses will face significantly higher federal tax bills. That’s money that could otherwise be used to hire workers, raise wages or reinvest in local neighborhoods.

I urge Gov. Tim Walz and members of the House Tax Committee to pass House File 3127 and extend the Pass-Through Entity election.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We’ve proven our resilience. Now we need our state leaders to show the same commitment to us.

Daniel Hernandez is the owner of Colonial Market located at 2100 E. Lake St.

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