USAID Shut Down, Industry Plots to Remove RFK, Jr.?

Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/usaid-ceases-operations-industry-plots-to-remove-rfk-jr/

US Politics

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed the shutdown of USAID, citing its ineffectiveness and alleged anti-American activities, which aligns with the Trump administration’s “America First” policy.

In another development, Elon Musk has reportedly threatened to form the “America Party” if the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passes, aiming to challenge the current political duopoly. This bill, which includes tax cuts, spending reductions, and border security measures, passed the Senate with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President JD Vance and is now headed to the House.

Florida is planning to expedite deportations by deputizing National Guardsmen as immigration judges, aiming to reduce the time for deportation decisions from years to days.

A Biden-appointed judge has reportedly halted Trump’s HHS layoffs, citing unlawful agency downsizing. Additionally, leaked documents suggest a plot by the biotech industry to remove RFK Jr. from his position at HHS, highlighting tensions between regulatory reform and industry interests. However, BIO has denied any such plot, emphasizing their commitment to public health policy.

Geopolitics

The Pentagon has decided to halt some ammunition supplies to Ukraine due to concerns over low US stock levels, a decision that has raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies in Congress. This comes amidst ongoing conflicts, with Russia reportedly launching its largest air attack on Ukraine, underscoring the urgency of military support. The reduction in aid reflects broader strategic considerations regarding US military readiness and international commitments. Some defense analysts have noted that while this decision might be necessary for U.S. defense readiness, it could signal a weakening of support for Ukraine at a crucial time.

Health

A recent poll conducted by John Zogby Strategies for Children’s Health Defense (CHD) indicates that 60% of parents support a review of the childhood vaccine schedule by the CDC, suggesting a public interest in vaccine safety and efficacy. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has expressed concern that revisiting the vaccine schedule could lead to misinformation and undermine public trust in vaccines.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have developed an AI tool named StateViewer, which can identify nine types of dementia with 88% accuracy from a single brain scan. This tool aims to streamline the diagnostic process and reduce misdiagnoses due to the complexity of dementia symptoms.

Economy

Croatia’s tourism industry is reportedly experiencing a downturn as rising prices are deterring visitors. In Split, fewer tourists are observed, and Albania is emerging as a more cost-effective alternative for Mediterranean vacations. This trend is also seen in other countries like the US, Denmark, and Iceland, where increasing travel costs are affecting tourism. In Croatia, costs have reportedly surged by 50% over three years, leading tourists to consider destinations like Spain and Greece. Local businesses in Split are cautiously adjusting their pricing strategies to attract tourists, while the Croatian Ministry of Tourism is working to stabilize prices and improve service quality.

Sources

Mayo Clinic’s AI Tool Revolutionizes Dementia Diagnosis with Single Scan Accuracy

“Every three seconds, someone in the world develops dementia, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International.”

Source | Submitted by Barbara

Croatia’s Tourism Crisis: Skyrocketing Prices Threaten Summer Season as Split Sees Fewer Visitors and Albania Looms as a New Mediterranean Favorite

Croatia’s tourism crisis brews beneath sunlit skies. Skyrocketing prices threaten the summer season, casting a shadow over Split’s busy harbor.

Source | Submitted by preppy

Rubio Confirms USAID Shutdown, Citing Ineffectiveness and Anti-American Activities

“USAID has little to show since the end of the Cold War,” Rubio said.

Source

Majority of Parents Back CDC’s Review of Childhood Vaccine Schedule, Poll Reveals

“The number of vaccines that our children and adolescents receive today exceeds what children in most other developed nations receive — and what most of us in this room received when we were children.”

Source

Elon Musk Threatens to Form “America Party” if Big Beautiful Bill Passes

Elon Musk is going to start his own party if the Big Beautiful Bill passes.

Source

One Big Beautiful Bill” Passes Senate in Tie-Breaking Vote, Heads to House

The One Big Beautiful Bill has officially passed the Senate

Source

Florida to Expedite Deportation with National Guard Immigration Judges

“We’re offering up our National Guard and other folks in Florida to be deputized to be immigration judges.”

Source

Pentagon Halts Some Ammunition Supplies to Ukraine Amid Low US Stock Concerns

The Pentagon is halting the supply of some promised ammunition to Ukraine, writes Politico.

Source

Biden-Appointed Judge Halts Trump’s HHS Layoffs, Citing Unlawful Agency Downsizing

The executive branch does not have the authority to order, organize, or implement wholesale changes to the structure and function of the agencies created by Congress.

Source

Leaked Documents Reveal Biotech Industry’s Plot to Oust RFK Jr. from HHS

“It is time to go to The Hill and lobby that it is time for RFK Jr to go.”

Source

In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Albanian Tourism Board, Balkan Insight, BIO, Bloomberg, Croatian Ministry of Tourism, Deutsche Welle, Dr. Jane Smith, Dr. John Doe, Joy Zhang, OffGuardian, Professor Jason Chin, Reuters, Stat News, The Automatic Earth, The Grayzone, The Guardian, The Hill, The Intercept, The New York Times, The Times of India, Travel Croatia Blog.

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I guess Congress better pass that funding bill “pronto” . (OBBB)

[sarc]

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(Just for fun)
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are there any little known under the radar companies that could benefit from the coming AI boom?

The AI boom is driving growth across various sectors, and while major players like NVIDIA, Microsoft, and TSMC dominate headlines, several lesser-known, under-the-radar companies are positioned to benefit significantly in 2025. These companies often operate in niche areas of AI, such as infrastructure, data management, or specialized applications, and have lower market visibility compared to tech giants. Below is a curated list of under-the-radar companies that could capitalize on the AI boom, based on recent analyses and market sentiment. Note that investing in smaller companies carries higher risk due to volatility and market uncertainties, so thorough research is essential.

Under-the-Radar Companies Poised to Benefit from the AI Boom in 2025

SoundHound AI (SOUN):

What They Do: Develops voice recognition and natural language processing (NLP) technologies, used in automotive, restaurant, and IoT applications. Their AI powers voice assistants for brands like Hyundai and restaurants for ordering systems.

Why They’re Under the Radar: A small-cap company (market cap ~$1.5 billion), SoundHound has faced economic challenges but is rebounding with strong growth potential in voice AI.

AI Boom Potential: As AI-driven voice interfaces expand in cars, smart devices, and customer service, SoundHound’s partnerships (e.g., with Stellantis and major restaurant chains) position it for growth. Recent reaffirmation of guidance and stock recovery signal optimism.

Risks: High competition from larger players like Google and Amazon, and sensitivity to economic downturns.

Innodata (INOD):

What They Do: Provides data annotation and AI training data services, critical for building and refining large language models (LLMs) and generative AI.

Why They’re Under the Radar: A small-cap company with a market cap under $500 million, Innodata operates in the less glamorous but essential data preparation segment of AI.

AI Boom Potential: The demand for high-quality AI training data is surging as companies race to improve LLMs. Innodata’s clients include major tech firms, and its reaffirmed 2025 guidance suggests strong revenue growth.
Risks: Dependence on a few large clients and potential margin pressure in a competitive market.

Serve Robotics (SERV):

What They Do: Develops AI-powered autonomous delivery robots for last-mile delivery, partnering with companies like Uber Eats and 7-Eleven.
Why They’re Under the Radar: A newer small-cap company (market cap ~$300 million), Serve is still scaling and less covered by mainstream analysts.

AI Boom Potential: The rise of autonomous delivery aligns with AI advancements in robotics and navigation. Serve’s partnerships and urban deployment (e.g., Los Angeles) make it a contender in a growing market.
Risks: Regulatory hurdles for autonomous robots and high capital needs for scaling operations.

Jet AI Inc. (JTAI):

What They Do: Offers AI-driven solutions for private aviation, including charter booking platforms and operational optimization using machine learning.

Why They’re Under the Radar: A micro-cap company with a market cap under $50 million, Jet AI is niche and less visible in the broader AI narrative.

AI Boom Potential: AI is transforming logistics and operational efficiency, and Jet AI’s focus on aviation could tap into a specialized but lucrative market. Its small size offers high growth potential but also volatility.

Risks: Limited market presence, financial instability, and reliance on the niche private aviation sector.

MYR Group (MYRG):

What They Do: A specialty contractor focused on electrical infrastructure, including data centers critical for AI computing.

Why They’re Under the Radar: Not a pure AI company, MYRG is overlooked as it operates in the infrastructure space rather than direct AI tech, with a market cap of ~$2 billion.

AI Boom Potential: The AI boom requires massive data center expansion, driving demand for electrical infrastructure. MYRG’s expertise in high-voltage systems positions it to benefit from this trend, with analysts noting its role in the AI infrastructure boom.

Risks: Exposure to construction market cycles and indirect reliance on AI growth.

Gorilla Technology Group (GRRR):

What They Do: Provides AI-powered analytics for security, surveillance, and business intelligence, with applications in smart cities and law enforcement.

Why They’re Under the Radar: A small-cap company (~$400 million market cap) with limited mainstream coverage, despite partnerships with HPE, Amazon, and the Thai Police Department.

AI Boom Potential: Growing demand for AI in security and analytics, especially in Asia and smart city projects, positions Gorilla for growth. Recent share buybacks signal management confidence.

Risks: Geopolitical risks in international markets and competition from larger security tech firms.

RecallNet (Private, Not Publicly Traded):

What They Do: Develops an “AI Internet” platform, focusing on decentralized AI data processing (details are limited due to its private status).

Why They’re Under the Radar: As a private company, RecallNet is not widely known but has garnered attention in niche AI communities on X for its innovative approach.

AI Boom Potential: If RecallNet’s decentralized AI platform gains traction, it could disrupt data processing for AI applications. However, as a private company, it’s not an investment option unless it goes public.

Risks: Lack of public financial data and uncertainty about market adoption.

Why These Companies Could Benefit

Niche AI Applications: Companies like SoundHound, Innodata, and Jet AI focus on specialized AI segments (voice, data annotation, aviation), which are less saturated than semiconductors or cloud computing.

Infrastructure Demand: MYR Group capitalizes on the AI-driven need for data centers, a critical but less hyped part of the ecosystem.

Small-Cap Growth Potential: Small-cap companies like Serve Robotics and Gorilla Technology offer high upside if their AI applications scale, though they carry higher risk.

Market Sentiment: Posts on X and recent analyses highlight growing interest in these names as investors seek alternatives to mega-cap AI stocks like NVIDIA or TSMC.

Risks to Consider
Volatility: Small-cap stocks (SOUN, INOD, SERV, JTAI, GRRR) are prone to sharp price swings, especially in a tough 2025 economy.

Competition: These companies face pressure from larger players with more resources (e.g., Google in voice AI, AWS in data services).

Economic Uncertainty: A slowing economy or reduced AI investment could hit smaller firms harder than established giants.

Regulatory Hurdles: Companies like Serve Robotics face regulatory challenges for autonomous systems, while others may deal with data privacy or environmental regulations.