Zuck Blasts White House

Hi Global Recap readers,

💣️ Here’s another unexpected bombshell to keep us busy over the weekend:

Maybe it’s because I don’t usually watch Joe Rogan’s podcast, but I was completely caught off guard by his surprise interview with Mark Zuckerberg that just dropped.

😯 What really threw me off? How much detail Zuck went into about the Biden administration’s efforts to censor posts on Meta’s platforms—even memes became unacceptable…

So, can we now safely take off the tinfoil, or not?

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Zuckerberg Blasts
White House

A new Joe Rogan podcast just dropped, featuring none other than Mark Zuckerberg spilling some unexpected bombshells.

Biden's Meme Censorship

Zuckerberg claimed the Biden administration forced Meta to censor a COVID meme.

• The meme featured Leonardo DiCaprio pointing at a TV with the caption: "10 years from now you're going to see an ad that says if you took a COVID vaccine you'd be eligible for a payment."

• The White House demanded its removal, sparking heated exchanges with Meta staff, during which Biden staffers reportedly “cursed” and “screamed” at them.

White House Pressure

The Biden administration didn't just stop at memes; they pushed for the removal of accurate information too.

• Zuckerberg claimed the White House wanted to censor true information about COVID vaccine side effects.

• The White House's demands were seen as a breach of free speech rights.

Rogan's Reaction

Joe Rogan was visibly shocked by Zuckerberg's revelations during the podcast.

• Rogan called the demands a "massive overstepping" by the federal government.

• He highlighted the suppression of beneficial health remedies by the White House.

Biden’s Reaction

President Biden called Meta’s move to drop “fact-checkers” on Friday “truly shameful.”

~9 days till inauguration by the way.

Meta's Shift (Context)

Meta is making changes under the incoming Trump administration.

• Zuckerberg announced the end of fact-checking on Meta platforms.

• Meta will replace fact-checkers with community notes, similar to X.

• The company terminated all DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs.

• These moves are part of a broader strategy to restore free expression on Meta platforms.

Zuck’s Shift

No, I am talking about his alleged shapeshifting. 🤣 I am talking about Zuck’s wardrobe.

• While his new look was once praised, more people now call it inauthentic and “trying too hard.”

• His repeated outfit choices have sparked speculation that his wardrobe is a PR move—amplifying the sense of inauthenticity and making people even more skeptical about trusting Meta’s policy shift.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Biden’s Deportation Shield

The Biden administration has announced a sweeping “deportation shield” for nearly 1 million migrants from Sudan, Ukraine, El Salvador, and Venezuela.

But why?

What He Did

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from these countries by another 18 months.

• This extension affects approximately 1,900 Sudanese, 103,700 Ukrainian, 232,000 Salvadoran, and 600,000 Venezuelan immigrants.

• The program now allows up to 937,600 eligible foreign nationals to remain in the US into 2026.

Specific Requirements

So, you might be wondering: does this apply to illegal immigrants too?

DHS has outlined specific requirements for migrants from Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

• Sudanese and Ukrainian migrants may be “with or without lawful immigration status” and must have been continuously residing in the US since at least August 16, 2023.

• Venezuelan nationals who arrived after July 31, 2023, are not eligible for TPS.

• The TPS program currently shields migrants from 16 countries, including Afghanistan, Cameroon, and Haiti.

Legal Challenges Ahead

The Biden administration's move is likely to set up a contentious and lengthy court battle.

• Cornell Law School professor Steve Yale-Loehr suggests that only Congress can alter or undo the TPS program permanently.

• Migrants must submit to rigorous national security and public safety vetting when applying or re-registering for the program.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Biden’s Toughest Sanctions
Against Russia

President Joe Biden's administration has unleashed its most extensive sanctions yet on Russia's oil and gas revenues, which are expected to give Ukraine and the incoming Trump administration leverage for peace negotiations.

Broad Sanctions Imposed

The sanctions target Russia's oil and gas revenues, aiming to cut off funds for the war in Ukraine.

• The US Treasury imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with 183 vessels in the shadow fleet.

• These measures are expected to cost Russia billions of dollars per month if enforced effectively.

Biden's Strategy

The Biden administration believes these sanctions will pressure Russia economically and aid Ukraine.

• The US has provided $64 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the invasion, including $500 million just this week.

• This has sparked a heated debate within the US about the country’s relentless support for a foreign nation while parts of the US are literally on fire.

• The sanctions are part of a broader effort to weaken Russia's economy and support Ukraine's defense.

Zelenskyy’s Thanks

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy wrote an extensive post on X, thanking the Biden administration for targeting Russia’s energy sector.

🇻🇪 VENEZUELA
Maduro's Controversial
Inauguration

Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in for a third presidential term amid fierce opposition claims of a “coup d’etat.”

Swearing-In Ceremony

Maduro's swearing-in was a low-key affair compared to previous ceremonies.

• National Assembly leader Jorge Rodríguez placed the presidential sash on Maduro.

• The event saw attendance from Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel.

• Representatives from China and Russia were also present.

Election Controversy

The opposition claims their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, actually won the election. The US also agrees.

• Electoral authorities, controlled by the ruling Socialist Party, proclaimed Maduro the winner on July 28.

• Opposition tallies, supported by independent observers, show Gonzalez won with 67% of the vote.

US and International Response

The US and other nations have recognized Gonzalez as the rightful president-elect.

• The US announced new sanctions and visa restrictions on Maduro-aligned officials.

• The UK and European Union also issued sanctions against individuals associated with Maduro.

Machado’s Response

Opposition leader María Corina Machado shared a video explaining that she was “intercepted” after her surprise appearance at a protest yesterday. Her allies are calling it a “kidnapping.”

• Although Edmundo was expected to return to Venezuela for a separate swearing-in, Machado advised him not to return in the current political climate.

• She claims that after confirming her identity, the police took her on a motorbike, then were ordered to let her go and record a video proving she’s alive. Maybe Maduro does not want to rock the boat too hard?