"fake news" again

Hi Global Recap readers,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Remember that poll we ran asking if those sketchy call option buys right before Trump’s 90-day tariff pause looked like insider trading?

Most of you said, “Yep, definitely looks shady.” But a surprising number of you also said, “Honestly, I don’t care if it was or not.” That really caught me off guard.

Well, now Trump’s team is stepping up to address the big question on everyone’s mind:

Was it insider trading? 👇🏻

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
White House
Insider Trading?

Kevin Hassett, Trump’s top economic adviser, denies insider trading allegations tied to Trump’s tariff pause announcement.

Even Trump supporters are sharing images like this, casting doubt on whether the claim is legit.

What Happened

Democrats are pushing for an investigation into potential insider trading.

• April 7: It all kicked off with a rumor on X claiming Trump is considering a pause on retaliatory tariffs for 90 days.

• Not long after, the White House jumped in and shut it down, calling the rumor “fake news.”

• April 9: Trump posted on Truth Social, “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!” This came hours before his tariff pause announcement.

• The Nasdaq call volume spiked just before the news, sparking suspicions.

Hassett’s Defense

Hassett insists the White House had no involvement in insider trading.

• He told Fox Business that “the issues will be investigated by the right officials.”

• He’s confident the White House is not implicated.

Market Chaos

Trump’s tariff policies caused wild swings in the stock market.

• Before the pause, the S&P 500 dropped over 10 percent, wiping out trillions in value.

• After the announcement, it surged 9.5 percent, marking one of its best days in years.

What’s Next?

Democrats, led by Adam Schiff, are demanding answers.

• Schiff highlighted Trump’s history of financial entanglements, calling for scrutiny.

• Investigations are expected to unfold in the coming weeks.

🇨🇳 CHINA
China and Vietnam’s Big Deals

China and Vietnam just inked 45 agreements during Xi Jinping’s visit to Hanoi, aiming to deepen trade, transport, and tech ties.

The Agreements

Xi Jinping and Vietnam’s Communist Party chief, To Lam, signed a whopping 45 deals.

• These include plans for a joint railway development committee to boost connectivity.

• Vietnam is eyeing Chinese tech transfers and preferential loans.

• Hanoi also wants more balanced trade with its giant neighbor.

The Bigger Picture

This visit comes right after Trump’s tariff pause announcement, which gave Vietnam a 90-day reprieve.

• Southeast Asia has become a key route for Chinese exports to the US amid ongoing trade tensions.

• Vietnam has benefited massively from the US-China trade war, attracting manufacturers fleeing Chinese tariffs.

Economic Ties

China is Vietnam’s largest trade partner, with over $205 billion in commerce last year.

• Vietnam relies heavily on Chinese parts and raw materials for its industries.

• The two nations are working on infrastructure projects, including a $8.4 billion cross-border railway.

Aviation Collaboration

Vietnam is also expanding its aviation ties with China.

• The government is allowing more aircraft imports, paving the way for deals with Comac.

• Vietnam’s PM praised Comac’s contributions and called for investments in aircraft maintenance centers.

This makes it clear that Xi is working overtime to win over countries hit by Trump’s tariffs, pitching China as the more “stable” and reliable partner in the game.

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Russia’s Deadly Strike on Sumy

A Russian missile attack on Sumy has left at least 34 dead and over 100 injured, sparking outrage and renewed calls for decisive action against Moscow.

This is definitely a horrific attack. However, as with basically anything related to President Trump, there’s a controversy.

The Attack

Two ballistic missiles struck Sumy, a city just 18 miles from the Russian border.

• The attack occurred on Palm Sunday, a widely observed Christian holiday in Ukraine.

• Videos from the scene show devastating destruction, with bodies in the streets and charred vehicles.

Trump’s Reaction

President Trump called the attack “a mistake” and condemned it as “a horrible thing.”

• But here’s the controversy: His remarks on Air Force One had people wondering if he was letting Moscow off the hook.

  • Saying the attack was “a mistake” could be taken as Russia just messing up, but it could also be seen as Trump signaling that Russia made a huge blunder it will regret.

• Trump’s administration, however, issued stronger condemnations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “horrifying Russian missile attack.”

Ukraine’s Plea

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Trump to witness the war’s realities firsthand.

• Zelenskyy urged Trump to visit Ukraine before making decisions about negotiations with Russia.

• He emphasized the human toll of the conflict, referencing destroyed homes, hospitals, and lives.

Contexet

The attack highlights the ongoing challenges in US-led ceasefire. negotiations.

• Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of stalling talks to maintain its battlefield advantage.

• Zelenskyy insists only “pressure” and “decisive action” can change Moscow’s behavior.

🇰🇵 NORTH KOREA
North Korea’s Biggest Warship Yet

Satellite images reveal North Korea is building what could be its largest and most advanced warship ever.

But the question is: can Pyongyang pull it off?

The Ship in Question

New satellite photos show a massive warship under construction at Nampo shipyard.

• The ship is estimated to be 459 feet long, making it the largest in North Korea’s fleet.

• Analysts believe it’s a guided-missile frigate equipped with vertical launch tubes for land and sea attacks.

Advanced Features?

The ship might boast modern naval tech, but experts are skeptical.

• It could include phased-array radar for faster and more accurate threat tracking.

• That said, plugging in advanced tech like communications and sensors remains a huge hurdle for North Korea.

Russian Assistance?

North Korea’s closer ties with Russia might be helping it bypass UN sanctions.

• Analysts suspect Moscow could be providing missile technology for the frigate.

• This collaboration could explain how Pyongyang is advancing its naval capabilities despite sanctions.

• Is Russia offering this in exchange for North Korea sending troops to Ukraine?

Context

Kim Jong Un is pushing hard to modernize his navy, but questions remain.

• North Korea’s navy is mostly outdated, with only two principal surface combatants from the 1970s.

• Operating such a large warship requires significant resources, raising doubts about its sustainability.

• If equipped with hypersonic missiles, this frigate could shift regional security dynamics.

• Like with most of their so-called “advanced” weapons, experts aren’t buying it—they see these flashy displays as little more than props.

Tangent

I recently watched this straightforward but striking video about a gigantic, hollow hotel in North Korea. It was meant to flaunt the country's prosperity, but it turned out to be just an empty shell—literally.

Honestly, it’s the perfect symbol of what North Korea really is: all facade, no substance.

I think you might enjoy it.