More than half of American voters disapprove of Donald Trump’s handling of inflation and the economy, according to a new poll that highlights growing concerns over tariffs, rising fuel prices and the ongoing conflict involving Iran ahead of the US midterm elections. The nationwide survey, conducted by research firm Focaldata for the Financial Times, found that inflation and the rising cost of living remain the biggest concerns for voters before November’s congressional elections. According to the poll, nearly 58% of registered voters either “strongly” or “somewhat” disapproved of Trump’s management of inflation and living costs. Read More: New Passport Design in US to Include Trump Picture In addition, more than half of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with his handling of jobs and the broader economy. Around 55% of voters said Trump’s tariffs negatively affected the US economy. However, only about one-quarter believed his trade policies improved economic conditions. The findings arrive at a politically sensitive moment for the White House, with six months remaining before control of both chambers of Congress is contested. Trump returned to office in 2025 after winning the presidential election on promises to lower inflation, revive domestic manufacturing and prioritise American economic interests. Iran war and fuel prices create pressure The poll also reflected growing voter unease over the conflict involving Iran and its economic consequences. According to the survey, nearly 54% of voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the Iran war, while fewer than one-third approved. Even among Republican voters, roughly one in five respondents expressed dissatisfaction with his management of the conflict. The war escalated after the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran in late February. As a result, tensions disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and tightened global oil supplies. Read More: From 2016 to 2026 US President DonalTrump Faces Growing List of Assassination Threats Although a fragile ceasefire remains in place, the conflict has continued to push fuel and consumer prices higher across the United States. Trump recently claimed petrol prices were “way down.” However, average gasoline prices reportedly climbed to about $4.60 per gallon last week. That figure stands nearly 50% higher than before the conflict began. Meanwhile, the administration has attempted to negotiate an agreement with Tehran to avoid further escalation and reduce inflationary pressure before the elections. Democrats gain advantage before midterms Overall, more than 54% of voters said they disapproved of Trump’s performance as president. By comparison, just over 39% approved of his leadership. Independent voters appeared especially critical. More than 58% of independents held an unfavourable opinion of Trump, according to the poll. The survey also showed Democrats holding an eight-point advantage over Republicans among registered voters heading into the midterms. Currently, Republicans control both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Nevertheless, Democrats hope to regain control of Congress in November. Read More: “You’d Be Speaking French”: Charles Teases Trump in Viral Moment Kush Desai defended the administration’s economic policies, saying Trump’s tax cuts, deregulation agenda and energy measures would keep the economy on a “solid economic trajectory.” He added that Americans would eventually see lower inflation and falling fuel prices once disruptions linked to the Iran conflict eased. The online poll was conducted between May 1 and May 5 among 3,167 registered voters. It carried a margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points.
TikTok Escapes US Ban After ByteDance Seals American-Led Ownership Deal
TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, announced on Thursday that it has finalized a landmark agreement to create a new joint venture that will place TikTok’s US operations under majority American ownership, a move aimed at preventing a nationwide ban on the app used by more than 200 million Americans. The agreement marks a major turning point in TikTok’s long-running standoff with Washington, which began in August 2020 when then-President Donald Trump first attempted to block the platform over national security concerns tied to data privacy and Chinese ownership. Although US lawmakers passed legislation in April 2024 requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok’s US assets by January 2025 or face a ban — a law later upheld by the Supreme Court — Trump ultimately chose not to enforce the measure after negotiations over a restructuring deal gained momentum. Under the finalized arrangement, a new entity named TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will oversee the protection of US user data, content moderation systems, and recommendation algorithms through enhanced cybersecurity and privacy safeguards. ByteDance shared limited details about the divestiture but confirmed that American and global investors will collectively own 80.1% of the venture, while ByteDance will retain a 19.9% minority stake. Three managing investors — cloud technology firm Oracle, private equity giant Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based investment company MGX — will each hold a 15% share. Trump welcomed the agreement in a social media post, claiming TikTok “will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the biggest in the world.” He also publicly thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for approving the deal, saying cooperation from Beijing was critical to its completion. A White House official confirmed to Reuters that both the US and Chinese governments had signed off on the arrangement. The Chinese Embassy in Washington declined to comment. The new venture will operate TikTok’s US app, according to the White House, while handling backend services related to user data and algorithm security. The recommendation algorithm will be retrained and tested exclusively using US user data and will be stored within Oracle’s US-based cloud infrastructure. TikTok said the venture’s investor group also includes the Dell Family Office — linked to Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell — along with Vastmere Strategic Investments, Alpha Wave Partners, Revolution, Merritt Way, Via Nova, Virgo LI, and NJJ Capital. Former TikTok USDS executive Adam Presser has been appointed chief executive officer of the new venture, while Will Farrell will serve as chief security officer. TikTok CEO Shou Chew will join the board, continuing to oversee the platform’s global strategy. Trump, who has more than 16 million followers on TikTok, has previously credited the app with helping him secure reelection. According to a photo published by the New York Times, TikTok executives presented Trump with internal data highlighting his popularity on the platform in December. The White House itself launched an official TikTok account last August. Earlier reports had indicated that while ByteDance would retain control over revenue-generating businesses such as advertising and e-commerce, operational control over US data, content moderation, and algorithms would shift to the American-led venture. The new entity will earn a share of revenue in exchange for providing technology and data security services.
A Moon Vacation Is No Longer Sci-Fi — And Bookings Are Already Open
Wealthy adventure seekers are being offered the chance to book a vacation on the moon, after a California-based start-up announced plans to develop a luxury hotel on Earth’s only natural satellite. The company, Galactic Resource Utilization Space (GRU), has opened reservations for what it describes as the first permanent human-made structure beyond Earth, targeting affluent space tourists willing to place a $1 million deposit to secure early access. Founded by University of California, Berkeley graduate Skyler Chan, GRU launched its booking platform on Monday, outlining plans for a lunar hotel designed to host visitors seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience beyond Earth. How the Lunar Hotel Will Be Built According to the company, the project will rely on a proprietary habitation module system combined with automated processes that convert lunar soil into durable construction material. GRU says this approach would allow structures to be built directly on the moon, reducing reliance on Earth-launched materials. Construction is expected to begin later in the decade, subject to regulatory approvals and coordination with space agencies and launch providers. The company has also released a detailed white paper describing a phased strategy for establishing a sustained human presence on the moon—starting with a high-end tourism facility and expanding into a broader settlement over time. Who the First Guests May Be GRU expects its initial customers to include individuals who have already participated in commercial space flights, as well as wealthy couples seeking unconventional honeymoon destinations. The company believes that luxury tourism can act as a catalyst for building a viable lunar economy. In a statement, GRU said tourism represents “the fastest path for humanity to become interplanetary,” arguing that commercial demand can accelerate infrastructure development beyond Earth. Founder’s Vision for Humanity in Space Skyler Chan, a 21-year-old electrical engineering and computer science graduate, developed the moon hotel concept through the start-up accelerator Y Combinator. He said the project has attracted backing from investors associated with SpaceX and Anduril, a defence technology company focused on autonomous systems. “We live during an inflection point where we can actually become interplanetary within our lifetimes,” Chan said. “If we succeed, future generations will be born on the moon and Mars and experience life beyond Earth.” Chan added that his fascination with space began in childhood and that the project represents a lifelong ambition. “I’ve always wanted to become an astronaut,” he said. “I feel extremely fortunate to be working on what I consider my life’s mission.” Broader Context in US Space Policy The proposal aligns with renewed momentum in US space policy, which includes long-term plans for a permanent human presence on the moon. The initiative forms part of a broader vision supported by NASA leadership and the White House to expand American activity beyond low-Earth orbit. GRU hopes its lunar hotel project can contribute to these ambitions by providing early infrastructure and commercial incentives for sustained off-world habitation.
Meta Appoints Former Trump Adviser Dina Powell McCormick as President and Vice Chairman
US technology giant Meta has announced a major leadership appointment, naming Dina Powell McCormick as its new President and Vice Chairman, marking a significant expansion of her role within the company. In an official statement released on Monday, Meta said Powell McCormick will join its senior management team after previously serving on the company’s board of directors. The move comes as Meta intensifies its long-term focus on advanced artificial intelligence, large-scale computing infrastructure, and what it describes as the pursuit of “personal superintelligence.” Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Powell McCormick’s global experience and policy background make her a strong fit for the company’s next phase. “Dina’s leadership experience, combined with her deep relationships across governments, finance, and international institutions, positions her uniquely to help guide Meta’s strategy as we scale our most ambitious technologies,” Zuckerberg said. In her new role, Powell McCormick will help shape Meta’s overall strategic direction and oversee execution at the highest level. She will also work closely with teams responsible for compute capacity and infrastructure — areas that have become central to Meta’s AI ambitions. The company added that she will lead efforts to secure new strategic capital partnerships and explore innovative funding models aimed at expanding Meta’s long-term investment capabilities. The appointment drew a public reaction from US President Donald Trump, who congratulated Powell McCormick in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. Calling the decision “a great choice,” Trump praised her past service, saying she had represented his administration “with strength and distinction.” Powell McCormick previously served as deputy national security adviser during Trump’s first term. Earlier in her career, she held senior roles in the George W. Bush administration, including assistant secretary of state and senior White House adviser, building a long résumé spanning diplomacy, national security, and global finance. She stepped down from Meta’s board in December 2025, a move that fueled speculation about a broader operational role — speculation now confirmed with her elevation to one of the company’s top leadership positions. Her appointment underscores Meta’s growing emphasis on blending political, financial, and technological expertise as it positions itself at the forefront of the next wave of artificial intelligence development.
