12-7-25
From the desk of Rich Stephens
News for the week ending 12-6-25
Below find the expanded text from tonight’s broadcast. For corrections or additions, contact Rich directly.
Current Events
2021 D.C. Pipe Bomb Suspect Arrested
December 4th, Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and DC officials. They announced that after extensive work by FBI and local law enforcement, an arrest was made in the 2021 attempted pipe bombing of both the RNC and DNC. Brian Cole Jr. was arrested in Woodbridge, VA for transporting an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials.
Brevard County ‘Breaking Bad’
The same day, Sheriff Wayne Ivey of Brevard County, FL announced a large seizure of weapons and drugs. He explained that 26 year old Maxwell Horvath was in possession of 92 thousand pounds of a substance known as 7-oh. In 2017 Horvath served two years in federal prison on weapons and drug charges.
Palm Bay Police Chief Mariano Augello indicated that 5 IED’s were located on the property where the warrant was served. They also recovered 50lbs of precursor material for explosive devices. 12 Rifles, 17 pistols, 3 fully automatic firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition were also seized.
Politics
Trump Pardons Cuellar
Wednesday, December 3rd, President Trump announced a pardon for Democrat Congressman Henry Cuellar. Indicted in 2024 on counts of money laundering, conspiracy and bribery, his trial was set to begin next year. The president asserted that he was targeted for speaking out against open borders.
Bipartisan Congressional Action
Texas Republican Congressman Chip Roy partnered with Democrats Lucy McBath of Georgia and Steve Cohen of Tennessee on a bill that unanimously passed the house this week. The bill requires the federal government to create a comprehensive database listing all federal criminal laws and regulations. Further, it requires the Department of Justice to report how many prosecutions have been brought under each offense over roughly the last 15 years. The group contends that the federal criminal code is too large and no one knows exactly what is in it.
Florida Bill Of Rights For AI
Florida Governor Ron Desantis spoke Thursday December 4 about establishing a citizen bill of rights for AI. Included in his proposed legislation are prohibition on licensed therapy and mental health counseling, parental controls, prohibition on selling personal information and preventing government subsidies. It also includes protections for utility rate payers.
Ron Desantis Speech at The Villages
Texas Redistricting
Texas Governor Greg Abbott received a stay of the injunction against the state’s redrawn congressional district maps. On Thursday, December 4, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of the new maps. Justice Alito wrote that while the maps are indisputably partisan in purpose, “the trial court based it’s findings upon a mistaken impression of applicable legal principals.”
Justice Kagan wrote the dissenting opinion, stating that the district court had found substantial evidence that the new map was based on race. She argued that granting the stay is ignoring the lower courts findings that the maps are unconstitutional.
Media Bias Portal
On December 1 the White House launched what they are calling a “media bias” portal. The stated purpose of the site is to identify and catalog “fake news” stories, alongside facts. The following day, The White House began soliciting tips from the public via whitehouse.org/biastips. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the purpose is to hold the media accountable. The site lists claims by reporter, outlet and category.
White House Portal Announcement
Finance
Markets
Markets posted modest gains this week. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 238 points to close at 47954.
The s&p 500 rose 213 to close at 23578.
Nasdaq added 21 points, finishing the week at 6870. And gold is $4227 per ounce, $9 more than last week.
Michael Dell Donation to Trump Accounts
This week Michael and Susan Dell were invited to the White House to announce a $6.25B charitable commitment to American families through the new Trump Accounts program.
Created as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, Trump accounts are federally authorized, tax advantaged investment accounts for children. Any child under 18 can open one and eligible Americans born between 2025 and 2028 will receive a one time $1000 federal deposit. Parents, relatives and employers can contribute up to a combined $5000 per year. Contributions are invested in broad, index-tracked funds that mirror the U.S. stock market. In a nod to the president, the IRS form for establishing the account is form 4547.
Dell’s contribution provides $250 for each of the first 25 million American children age 10 and under, living in zip codes with median incomes below $150k.
Below you can find sources for this story, registration and eligibility details as well as IRS guidance. We also included some details from Schwab and Forbes because we are not financial advisors. We didn’t use these articles for our story, but they are supplemental and may be of use to some of our readers.
White House Press Release on Donation
Michael Dell Donald Trump Press Conference
“One Big Beautiful Bill” Full Text
IRS Guidance on Trump Accounts
Sports
World Cup Draw
The 2026 World Cup draw is complete, placing 48 teams into 12 groups spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The United States lands in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and a UEFA playoff winner. The U.S. will play its group-stage matches in Los Angeles, Seattle, and then return to Los Angeles.
Mexico opens the entire tournament on June 11 in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca as part of Group A.
Canada, drawn into Group B, begins group play in Toronto before finishing in Vancouver.
Brazil will compete in Group C, playing its matches across U.S. venues, while other major teams — including Argentina, France, England, and Germany — are distributed across the remaining groups, ensuring top-tier matchups across North America.
World Cup Match Schedule Details
F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Today was the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It was the first time since 2010 that more than 2 drivers were in contention for the world championship, and the first time since 2021 that the Abu Dhabi race would decide the championship. Lando Norris led Max Verstappen by 12 points, with Oscar Piastri another 4 points behind. Verstappen qualified first and won his 8th race of the season. However, he fell 2 points short of the championship. At 26 years old, Lando Norris is the 35th man to hold the F1 World Championship trophy.
Lane Kiffin
The 2025 College Football Season is coming to a close and the coaching carousel is spinning. Sunday December 1, Lane Kiffin announced his decision to leave Ole Miss and head to Baton Rouge. Kiffin will replace Brian Kelly as head coach of the tigers. In his statement, Kiffin asserted that both he and the team wanted him to finish out the season with the Rebels, who are headed to the 12 team playoff. However, at least two players disputed that on X.
Mark Stoops
Following University of Kentucky’s 41-0 loss to in-state rival Louisville last Saturday, head coach Mark Stoops assured the media he would not be leaving his post. The following day, Kentucky Athletics announced his release on X.
UF And Jon Sumrall
The Florida Gators finished the season 4-8 after firing head coach Billy Napier with 5 games remaining on their schedule. They will welcome 43 year old Jon Sumrall from Tulane. Best of luck rebuilding that program, Jon.
NCAA Football Scores
On the College Football scoreboard, 20th ranked Tulane defeated 24th ranked North Texas to win the American League Championship. The final was 34-21.
Texas Tech secured the Big 12 Championship over BYU in a 34-7 mugging.
In the SEC Championship game, Alabama was scoreless for 47 minutes and 27 seconds before finding the end zone. Georgia won that game 28-7. And in the big 10, the undefeated Hoosiers took down the Ohio state Buckeyes 13-10.
The CFP committee will pick the 12 team field today for this year’s expanded college football playoff. We may make a special video featuring expanded complaints about deserving teams being left out.
Like it or not, that’s what happened
Rich Stephens
The Cold Take