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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) says he is not optimistic about the Democrats winning the Senate next year.
👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Party, the U.S. Senate.
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📍 Where & When: Walz made his remarks at Harvard University on April 27.
💬 Key Quote: “I am very pessimistic about the Senate, just to be honest with you.” — Tim Walz
⚠️ Impact: The statement from a top Democrat reveals the ongoing disunity in the party, which is suffering internal clashes.
IN FULL:
Kamala Harris’s former running mate and current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) is pessimistic about the Democrats’ chances of winning the U.S. Senate in 2026. In front of an audience at Harvard‘s Kennedy School Institute of Politics, Walz explained his pessimism about next year’s Senate elections.
“I think we will take back the House,” Walz said, but added, “I am very pessimistic about the Senate, just to be honest with you.” He stated that the Democratic national brand image could play a factor in state-level elections as well. “The thing was, is being associated with national parties and things on these state races, we’re going to have to figure that piece out of, how do we reimagine,” he said.
Last month, Walz teased his own presidential bid for 2028, saying he was open to running for the presidency if there was enough interest. However, he remarked, “If, nationally, people are like, ‘Dude, we tried you and look how that worked out,’ I’m good with that.”
Earlier in the year, Walz backed anti-gun rights activist David Hogg for Democratic National Committee (DNC) vice chair, a position Hogg now holds. An ultra-progressive, Hogg stated earlier this month that he was going to launch a civil war within the Democratic party to root out those not sufficiently woke and progressive enough.
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Walmart has announced new programs, including “Grow with US” and the 2025 Open Call, to expand support for American-made products and American small businesses, as President Donald J. Trump pursues a policy of supporting American producers through tariffs on foreign goods.
👥 Who’s Involved: Walmart U.S., led by President and CEO John Furner and CFO John David Rainey, alongside U.S. small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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📍 Where & When: Announced on April 29, 2025, with Open Call events starting May 1 in Orlando, Florida, and the main event on October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
💬 Key Quote: John Furner stated, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.”
⚠️ Impact: Walmart’s initiatives showcase the success of Trump’s tariffs in encouraging domestic production, fostering job growth and economic resilience.
IN FULL:
Walmart is supporting American-made products with the launch of new programs aimed at supporting American small businesses, underscoring the success of President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies. On April 29, 2025, the retail giant shared its plans to expand initiatives like the “Grow with US” program and the 2025 Open Call, designed to help American entrepreneurs thrive. This strategic shift highlights how Trump’s tariffs are driving companies to prioritize domestic production, protecting both businesses and consumers from global trade disruptions.
The “Grow with US” program offers a four-step framework to provide U.S. small businesses with training, mentorship, and resources to grow alongside Walmart. John Furner, Walmart U.S. president and CEO, emphasized the benefits, stating, “We’ve seen firsthand how investing in small businesses results in better assortment, better meeting the needs of our customer base, and supporting jobs and growth in communities.” Furner also noted that over 60 percent of Walmart’s U.S. suppliers last year were small businesses, with the company anticipating thousands more will utilize its free resources in the coming years.
CFO John David Rainey recently revealed that more than two-thirds of products in Walmart U.S. stores are already domestically sourced, adding, “The third that we import comes from all over the world, but China and Mexico are the most significant.” Trump’s tariffs, including a 10 percent duty on imports and much higher rates on Chinese goods, are likely to incentivize a further shift in favor of American products, bolstering economic independence.
The 2025 Open Call, with applications opening June 24, will allow U.S.-based small and medium-sized businesses to pitch shelf-ready products directly to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants. The main event, set for October 7-8 in Bentonville, Arkansas, follows several Road to Open Call events during Small Business Month in May, starting with Orlando on May 1, followed by Kansas City on May 9, Baltimore on May 13, and Austin on May 21, with additional events in Columbus on June 18 and Atlanta on June 24. Furner highlighted that participants at these pop-up events could “potentially score a fast pass to our main event in Bentonville,” offering a direct path to getting products on Walmart’s shelves.
Tech companies including Nvidia and IBM have already announced major investments in the U.S. since President Trump implemented his tariff policy, suggesting that, despite market grumblings, his overall strategy is working.
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