Thursday, July 31st, 2025 - GDP report; Powell pressured; New tariffs; DOJ drops Fat Burger suit; Russia earthquake; High Noon Boozy mix up & more

Today’s Headlines: U.S. GDP grew 3% in Q2, beating forecasts and prompting Trump to once again pressure Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut rates—though the Fed held steady, with only Trump’s appointees voting to lower them. Trump also slapped new tariffs on Brazil and India, making everyday imports like coffee and beef 90% pricier. Meanwhile, on the Epstein beat: a source says the prison footage from the night of his death isn’t actually missing, and Senator Chuck Schumer invoked the obscure “Rule of Five” to demand DOJ documents—threatening court action if they’re not handed over. Elsewhere in Trump-world, his former defense attorney Emil Bove was confirmed to a lifetime federal judgeship despite whistleblower claims of ethics violations and loyalty purges. The DOJ also dropped a major fraud case against Fatburger’s parent company after firing the lead prosecutor, raising eyebrows given the chairman’s GOP donations. In other headlines: a historic 8.8 earthquake near Russia triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific; the FDA issued a recall after High Noon hard seltzers were mislabeled as Celsius energy drinks; and Kamala Harris announced she’s not running for California governor in 2026, though she hinted at future plans.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

• CNBC: U.S. economy grew at a 3% rate in Q2, a better-than-expected pace even as Trump’s tariffs hit 

• CNBC: Fed holds interest rates steady: What that means for car loans, credit cards, mortgages and more

• NBC News: Trump hits India and Brazil with high tariffs, lowers South Korea duties 

• CBS News: There was no "missing minute" in the original Epstein jail video, government source says

• Axios: Democrats invoke rare Senate rule to force release of Epstein documents 

• CBS News: Senate confirms former Trump attorney Emil Bove as U.S. appeals court judge

• NBC News: DOJ dismisses case against a Trump donor after White House fired career prosecutor

• AP News: Tsunami evacuations ordered in South America, but worst risk appears to pass for US after huge quake

• CNN: High Noon issues a recall after selling some vodka seltzer mislabeled as Celsius energy drinks 

• Axios: Kamala Harris won't run for governor in 2026

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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