Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/thanksgiving-in-the-fourth-turning-inflation-b-52s-and-digital-surveillance/
Happy Thanksgiving!
Peak Prosperity would like to wish our American readers a happy Thanksgiving. Under the garnish of official narratives, this year’s meal is stuffed with plenty of inflation to go around. There may be a few empty seats at the table, as US troops have restricted holiday leave in anticipation of military hostilities, and Campbell’s is trying to convince you their bioengineered “food” is still safe for your dinner plate. But, be thankful you don’t live in the UK! Their surveillance state is continuing its steady advance, and jury trials may become a thing of the past.
In these uncertain days of the Fourth Turning where individual freedom is constantly challenged, let’s be grateful for our Tribe, our families, and that which we can control. Today, we toast Resilience.
Economy
President Donald Trump recently highlighted a Walmart Thanksgiving bundle priced 25% lower than last year, attributing it to price relief. However, the bundle omits sweet potatoes, marshmallows, cornbread, onions, celery, chicken broth, poultry seasoning, cranberry sauce, pecan pie, and whipped cream, while adding macaroni and cheese. Increases include cranberry sauce at 45.73%, stuffing at 14.24%, gravy at 14.17%, biscuits at 11.35%, whipped topping at 11.16%, and a 10-pound frozen turkey at 6.67% to $24. Pumpkin pie mix declined 5.33% to $4.44. As such, analyses noted that while the bundle price dropped, overall costs for a traditional meal have risen due to increases in key items.
In other news, Texas became the first U.S. state to purchase Bitcoin for its Strategic Reserve, acquiring $5 million worth at $87,000 per BTC through BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust while preparing for self-custody. The purchase follows June 2025 legislation signed by the governor, which allows donations, agency cryptocurrency conversions, and annual audits without using taxpayer funds. Other states, including New Hampshire and Arizona, have created similar reserves. New Hampshire approved a $100 million Bitcoin-backed municipal bond. Institutional adoption grows, as Harvard University’s endowment tripled its Bitcoin ETF holdings to $442.8 million. Critics, including economists, warned of Bitcoin’s volatility and risks to state funds.
Geopolitics
U.S. Southern Command restricted Thanksgiving and Christmas leave for servicemembers in anticipation of possible land strikes in Venezuela within 10 days to two weeks. The buildup addresses broader geopolitical concerns beyond Maduro’s government. Venezuelan officials denied knowledge of imminent strikes and emphasized diplomatic solutions.
Relatedly, U.S. B-52 bombers from Minot Air Force Base conducted flights near Venezuela’s northern coast, including one on Monday escorted by F/A-18 jets from the USS Gerald Ford patrolling the Caribbean. These bomber attack demonstration missions have occurred weekly for over a month with active transponders for visibility, departing from the usual one annual training flight in the region. The operations coincide with heightened U.S. military presence amid threats of regime change against President Nicolás Maduro, targeting alliances with Russia, China, and Iran. Speculation includes preparations for strikes or covert actions against cartels. President Trump declined to rule out ground troops, stating he opposes the Venezuelan leadership. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice advising pilot caution near Venezuela due to security and military activity. Diplomatic sources indicated ongoing U.S.-Venezuela negotiations as an alternative to military action.
Health
The scandal involving recorded claims by a Campbell’s executive of “bioengineered meat” and “3D printed chicken” in products has prompted consumers to reevaluate the brand’s cream of mushroom soup, a staple in green bean casserole for Thanksgiving. Consumers search for substitutes and alternative recipes, with some discarding items and others debating the dish’s future without the ingredient. The company stated the comments were taken out of context and affirmed use of traditional ingredients.
Speaking of eating, Del Bigtree proposed that carnivore diets alleviate autoimmune diseases because ruminant animals’ multi-stomach digestion filters environmental toxins like glyphosate contaminating crops via air and water drift, making meat a safer energy source that converts sunlight assimilation into bioavailable form for humans. A baby food company executive noted unavoidable lead and arsenic in plant-based products from pollution, affecting even organic farming through overspray. Experts cautioned that carnivore diets may lack essential nutrients from plants and pose long-term health risks.
US Politics
Representative Thomas Massie reported that an FBI official threatened a criminal fraud investigation against a staff member unless he stopped probing the January 6, 2021, pipe bombs near the Capitol Hill Club and Democratic National Committee headquarters. Massie escalated the matter to FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who addressed it, leading to an apologetic text from the official. Forensic gait analysis linked the suspect to a former Capitol Police officer at a 94-98% match, suggesting involvement by U.S. Capitol Police officials. Video evidence shows plainclothes Capitol Police agents arriving near the bomb sites shortly after alerts, along with anomalies in camera coverage. An FBI whistleblower alleged improper termination of surveillance on early persons of interest and provided documents indicating dropped leads. Massie requested sworn interviews with involved agents and expressed concerns for the whistleblower’s safety. The FBI denied any threats or misconduct, stating the investigation remains active and committed to transparency.
Authorities identified Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, as the suspect in a shooting that injured two National Guard soldiers during a patrol near the White House. Lakanwal entered the U.S. in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome after the Afghanistan withdrawal. His humanitarian parole expired in September 2025, making his presence illegal. The incident occurred at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday and involved the suspect yelling “Allahu akbar” while firing a revolver at the guardsmen. One guardsman stabbed him, and another shot him. Both victims remain in critical condition. Federal investigators treat the attack as potential international terrorism. Lakanwal has a Department of Defense history linked to interpreting services and resides at an address in Washington State. The FBI has not yet classified the incident as terrorism and urged caution pending a thorough investigation.
New York City officials approved a 16% pay raise for council members, effective immediately. The raise coincides with Zohran Mamdani’s election and increases annual salaries from $140,000 to $162,400. It was included in a broader compensation package for city employees and passed without public debate. Some reports describe the timing as coincidental, stemming from pre-planned budget adjustments and negotiations to address staffing shortages.
British Politics
The UK has significantly expanded digital surveillance under the Online Safety Act and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, requiring retention of browsing histories, emails, texts, and calls for one year, with warrantless bulk metadata access by agencies. Recent amendments permit backdoor access to encrypted messaging and wider data sharing for AI-driven analysis. Critics warn of authoritarian overreach, while the government maintains the measures are essential to combat online harms.
Justice Secretary David Lammy has proposed abolishing jury trials for most serious offences, including some murder cases, to clear a Crown Court backlog exceeding 78,000 cases, with current trials delayed until 2029–2030. Offences carrying up to five years’ imprisonment would be heard by a judge alone or in a new intermediate court; rape, murder, and manslaughter would remain exempt. Critics, including the Criminal Bar Association and former judges, argue the changes undermine public trust and fail to address chronic underfunding.
A leaked Office for Budget Responsibility forecast revealed Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ second budget will impose £26 billion in tax rises, pushing the tax burden to 38% of GDP by the end of the parliament. Key measures include freezing income-tax thresholds until 2030–31, taxing pension salary-sacrifice contributions, and increases on dividends, property, savings, electric vehicles, gambling, and high-value homes. Growth forecasts were downgraded to 1.5% annually. Reeves described the budget as fiscally responsible and fair; critics accused Labour of breaking manifesto pledges and imposing the highest sustained tax burden in history.
The UK is preparing potential troop deployments to Ukraine’s border in support of a possible peace agreement, as indicated by French President Emmanuel Macron. Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected a recent Russian-Ukrainian peace proposal and called for further talks. Concerns have been raised about domestic force readiness and border-security gaps amid the planned overseas commitment.
Farmers’ protests have faced restrictions, including bans on tractors in designated demonstration areas, prompting accusations from unions that the government is attempting to suppress dissent. Public borrowing reached £117 billion in the first seven months of the fiscal year, exceeding the 2008 financial-crisis bailout total, while foreign ownership dominates key sectors including steel, water, and airlines. Retail confidence has fallen to a 17-year low, accompanied by widespread business closures and declining household spending.
Sources
NYC’s Sneaky 16% Pay Raise: A ‘Welcome Gift’ for Zohran Mamdani
NYC sneaks in 16% pay raises to put on Zohran Mamdani’s desk as welcome gift
Source | Submitted by dennisc
UK’s Hidden Crisis: Troops to Ukraine, Surveillance Surge, and Economic Collapse
This is genuinely one of the clearest signs that we’re heading into a very dangerous era for the UK predominantly, but also the West in general.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
UK Budget Leak Triggers Market Volatility and Political Peril
Political Fallout Is Biggest Risk For Market After ‘Botched’ UK Budget
Source | Submitted by Shplad
UK Justice Secretary Proposes Scrapping Jury Trials for Most Serious Crimes to Tackle Backlog
Justice Secretary David Lammy is proposing to massively restrict the ancient right to a jury trial by only guaranteeing it for defendants facing rape, murder, manslaughter or other cases passing a public interest test.
Source | Submitted by Mike from Jersey
US B-52 Bombers Conduct Weekly “Attack Demos” Near Venezuela Amid Maduro Threats
These flights have occurred at a rate of about once a week for over a month, and are meant as a very public threat and warning
Texas Pioneers Bitcoin Reserves: First US State Buys $5 Million in BTC
On November 20, Texas became the first U.S. state to buy Bitcoin for its Strategic Reserve, acquiring $5 million at roughly $87,000 per BTC, according to Lee Bratcher, President of the Texas Blockchain Council.
Afghan Illegal via Biden’s Operation Allies Welcome Identified as National Guard Shooting Suspect Near White House
National Guard Shooting Suspect Identified as Afghan Illegal Brought to US via Biden’s “Operation Allies Welcome” in 2021
Massie: FBI Official Threatened Staff Investigation If He Didn’t “Play Ball” on Jan. 6 Pipe Bombs
An FBI official threatened to open a criminal investigation on one of Massie’s staff “if we didn’t straighten up [and] play ball,”
Trump’s 25% Cheaper Thanksgiving: The Bundle That’s Missing Half the Feast
Trump says Thanksgiving is 25% cheaper this year. There’s just one problem with that.
SOUTHCOM Curbs Holiday Leave Amid Reports of Imminent Venezuela Strikes
“SOUTHCOM is restricting / limiting leave over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, in preparation for possible land strikes in the next 10 days to two weeks, I am told by a source,”
Del Bigtree’s Theory: Carnivore Diets Beat Autoimmune Woes by Filtering Out Toxic Plants
when you see all these people that have massive autoimmune disease that are really getting rid of it by just going with a straight carnivore diet
Campbell’s Scandal Ignites Green Bean Casserole Crisis: Ditching the Iconic Soup for Thanksgiving
“HOW DO WE MAKE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE WITHOUT CAMPBELL’S CREAM OF MUSHROOM?!”
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: New York Times, CNN, FBI statement, UK government official, BBC News, Sir Brian Leveson, UK farmers’ union, UK Treasury, Rachel Reeves, The Telegraph, The Guardian, FactCheck.org, Reuters, Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Campbell’s spokesperson.
