In partnership with |  |
|
Our friends at Artisan are sponsoring today's newsletter, and if you click on the link in the ad below, or, heck, right here, they'll give Cheddar $1. Please consider clicking to support Need2Know! |
You're So Du-Monde-ing |
Fromage Du-Monde is a nice-looking cheese shop in Canton, Ohio, hometown of Marilyn Manson. Their website boasts a "virtual tour," which doesn't take very long and yet is rather charming for its rather modest scale. "Du monde," as we all know, means "of the world" in French, and so today's cheese pun is not only bilingual but also evokes the New Orleans cafe where you can get the most overpriced beignets you've ever tasted, as well as the concept of being needy. Credit to the cheese pun ninja over here → 🥷🏻 |
Today's Cheddlines You Need2Know |
|
How does a nonbinary ninja kill people? They slash them. Laugh while you can, before DOGE comes for my punchlines. |
—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor |
P.S. The disastrous Fyre Festival is returning after such a fantastic result last time. |
|
Quote of the Day |
| ❝ | | | The European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. | | | | — Donald Trump |
|
|
|
Should You Check Your 401(k) Today? |
👎 |
(definitely nope) |
|
|
|
The stock market, as we all know, is a completely unreliable place. It's also du-monde-ing demanding. It might remind a less cautious newsletter writer, say, of a spouse whose demands, once met, are followed by more demands, then yet more demands. But certainly not THIS newsletter writer! |
On Tuesday night after markets closed, Nvidia announced amazing results, which beat analysts' expectations. The company's revenue in the quarter rose 78%, and full fiscal-year revenue for Nvidia rose 114% to $130.5 billion. |
Imagine if, say, last year, you made 14% more money than you did the year before, and if in the last quarter you made 78% more money than in the quarter before. And then you came home and said, "Honey, I'm HOME!" |
And you got slapped in the face. 👋🏻 |
Because that's how investors responded, with the AI chipmaker's stock down 7% yesterday at the time of writing. The main reason is they're concerned about the company's guidance for gross profit margins this coming quarter of 71%. |
Again, imagine telling your spouse, "Hey, I expect to make 71% on every deal I make in the next quarter," and your beloved then whining, "But I was expecting 73%!" Guess what: you're sleeping on the couch. Even though you made $130.5 billion last year. It's never enough! NYSE boys finish last. |
Man, marriage is complicated, and so is the stock market. I recommend that Nvidia go out to the store to buy a "pack of cigarettes" if the pressure gets too much. Then again, investors have been saying Nvidia was overvalued for quite some time... |
|  | | barchartofficial | | Add a comment... |  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10x Your Outbound With Our AI BDR |
|
Imagine your calendar filling with qualified sales meetings, on autopilot. That's Ava's job. She's an AI BDR who automates your entire outbound demand generation. |
Ava operates within the Artisan platform, which consolidates every tool you need for outbound: |
300M+ High-Quality B2B Prospects Automated Lead Enrichment With 10+ Data Sources Included Full Email Deliverability Management Personalization Waterfall using LinkedIn, Twitter, Web Scraping & More
|
Book a demo and supercharge your sales team |
|
|
|
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a sweeping 25% tariff on a range of imports from the European Union. During his first Cabinet meeting since the inauguration, Trump did not mince his words, expressing a sentiment that the EU was created to disadvantage the United States. |
"The European Union was formed in order to screw the United States ... that's the purpose of it, and they've done a good job of it. But now I'm president," Trump said. |
The proposed tariffs, which the president indicated would be announced imminently, would cover an extensive list of goods including cars, and are expected to come into effect alongside new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and an additional 10% levy on Chinese imports. The move has led to concern among economists, who are warning of the potentially inflationary effects of these import duties on U.S. consumers. |
The major concern, here at Cheddar HQ, of course, is the price of imported Roquefort. |
Trump has long argued that the United States has been the victim of unfair trade practices, pointing to persistent trade deficits as evidence. The EU and the U.S. had divergent trade balances in recent times, with the U.S. seeing a surplus in services but a deficit in goods trade. Key exports from the EU to the U.S. include machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and pharmaceutical products. |
As Trump put it, "They've really taken advantage of us ... They don't accept our cars, they don't accept, essentially, our farm products." |
Nor do they accept our goddamned cheese. |
The EU, established after the 1993 enforcement of the Maastricht Treaty, asserts that its primary aim is to promote an internal market and sustainable development. Despite the unsettling nature of the tariffs, Trump has indicated that there may be a possibility for negotiation, particularly with the U.K., noting that it maintains a more balanced trading relationship with the U.S. |
Amazingly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer came to America yesterday to say hello to Trump at the White House. He's suffering at home, causing the Guardian's cartoonist, David Simonds, to respond with this: |
|
The proposed tariffs have understandably shaken the EU, which has expressed readiness to respond "in a proportionate way" to any trade actions that they view as unjustified. In other words, they're threatening to go to the store for a "pack of Gauloises." |
|
|
From @cheddar |
|  | | cheddar | | Add a comment... | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Justice John Roberts issued a pause on a lower court's order yesterday, which had mandated the Trump administration swiftly pay out foreign aid dollars to a set of contractors and grant recipients. |
As the clock inched toward a midnight deadline set by the lower court, Roberts's decision granted the Trump administration a reprieve and marked the Supreme Court's first intervention in cases where federal judges had temporarily blocked the White House from initiating major governmental reforms. |
The gravity of the situation became apparent after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, comprised of judges were all appointed by Democratic presidents, refused the Trump administration's plea. Their reasoning? The federal judge's order wasn't reviewable by an appellate court at the current stage of litigation. In what some might view as legal chess, Roberts's move to pause does not reveal his reasons, leaving room for interpretation and speculation. |
From day one, Trump has been clear about his stance on foreign aid, instituting an immediate halt upon taking office, which thrown the usual workings of humanitarian relief into disarray. Organizations linked with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as well as the State Department have accused the administration of unlawfully seizing payment flows. |
Amid the heat, U.S. District Judge Amir Ali, a Biden appointee, temporarily prevented the administration from enforcing a complete freeze while assessing the legal challenge. He further commanded the government to fulfill payments for work completed prior to the halting directive. |
Notwithstanding the court's urgency, the contractors decried the non-receipt of funds. This led to Judge Ali setting a concrete deadline, which the administration was expected to meet by midnight on the designated Wednesday. |
The State Department has foreshadowed deep cuts in foreign aid, projecting a contraction of over 90% in USAID's overseas contracts. These reductions are part of a broader blueprint proposing a slash in U.S. international assistance, which totals over $75 billion, or roughly 22% of Elon Musk's net worth. Fortunately they're only cutting non-essential foreign aid programs like…oh. Wait. |
"Widely successful USAID programs credited with containing outbreaks of Ebola and other threats and saving more than 20 million lives in Africa through HIV and AIDS treatment are among those still cut off from agency funds, USAID officials and officials with partner organizations say. Meanwhile, formal notifications of program cancellations are rolling out." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apparently it is antifeminist to speculate about their likely eating disorders so forget I mentioned it. Because the Academy has confirmed that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will perform a special number from the musical Wicked at the Oscars on Sunday night. Super! |
Grande, a global pop sensation turned actress, is in the running for her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Cynthia Erivo, already acclaimed for her powerful vocal and acting prowess, could achieve the rare and coveted EGOT status if she clinches the Best Lead Actress award. That group includes fewer than 30 artists who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards, marking it a potentially historic night for Erivo. |
Despite earlier denials from Grande and Erivo about performing at the Oscars, the Academy's social media reveal has set the stage for what is expected to be a spellbinding performance. A teaser video accompanying the announcement has already garnered over 450,000 likes. |
Wicked has secured 10 Oscar nominations this year, including nods for Best Picture, alongside technical recognitions such as Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. |
In a departure from tradition, this year's ceremony will not feature live performances of the Best Original Song nominees. Instead, it will focus on the stories and inspirations behind each song, as shared by the creative teams involved. Notably, Wicked did not receive a nomination for Best Original Song as its music was not originally written for the film. However, it is contention for the Music (Original Score) category. |
Aside from Grande and Erivo, several other renowned artists are set to perform, including Queen Latifah, Doja Cat, LISA from BLACKPINK, and RAYE. "Who the heck is LISA from BLACKPINK?!" you're going to ask me. I can tell. [She plays Mook on 'White Lotus.' —ed.] |
The night will be hosted by beloved comedian Conan O'Brien, who'll be supported by a glittering array of presenters like Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Samuel L. Jackson, and Zoe Saldaña. |
The 2025 Oscars will broadcast live on ABC and stream on Hulu this Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET. |
|
|
Trump Sets Deadline for NY to End Congestion Tolls |
|
|
In a gutsy display of state defiance against federal pressure, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has made it clear: New York will not bow to the Trump administration's demands to halt Manhattan's congestion pricing program. The clash over the future of urban mobility in New York City has now escalated into a full-blown confrontation, pitting state and city officials against federal authorities in a battle for the streets of Manhattan. |
The Federal Highway Administration issued a stark directive to New York City, state, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials last week. Dated February 20 and revealed to the public just days after, the letter demands that New York "must cease the collection of tolls" in Manhattan's congestion pricing zone by March 21. This move comes despite Governor Hochul's earnest attempts to advocate for the program, even presenting a picture-heavy "booklet" to President Trump, showcasing the initiative's success — and you know how the man loves picture-heavy booklets! |
The reaction from New York's leadership was swift and unyielding. Hochul and MTA chief Janno Lieber declared their intention to continue the $9 toll collection in Lower Manhattan, noting the absence of a direct court order to stop. Hochul's message on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter underscored the sentiment: "The Trump Administration is once again trying to overrule New Yorkers. They're about to find out what happens when you piss off 6 million New York commuters." |
 | Governor Kathy Hochul @GovKathyHochul |  |
| |
The Trump Administration is once again trying to overrule New Yorkers. They're about to find out what happens when you piss off 6 million New York commuters. | |  | | | 7:51 PM • Feb 26, 2025 | | | | | | 523 Likes 110 Retweets | 1K Replies |
|
|
The initiative has resulted in 2.8 million fewer cars entering the congestion zone, alongside notable increases in pedestrian traffic, restaurant reservations, and Broadway attendance. With commute times significantly reduced for motorists from New Jersey, Brooklyn, and those using the Queensboro Bridge, the program's advantages are palpable. |
As New York stands its ground, the fight over congestion pricing is far from over. |
 | Everybody's talkin' at me… |
|
|
|
| Want more Cheddar? Watch us! | Search "Cheddar" on Samsung, YouTube TV, and most other streaming platforms. | N2K is the tip of of the cheeseberg for financial news, interviews, and more. | |
|
|
