Goldman wipes DEI, AI will wipe white collar work, platforms censor ICE critics, and merit is a gaslight
The scary (Dystopia)
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI Will Destroy Millions of White Collars Jobs in the Coming Months, Andrew Yang Warns, Driving Surge of Personal Bankruptcies
Ring cancels Flock deal after dystopian Super Bowl ad prompts mass outrage
Amazon and Flock Safety have ended a partnership that would’ve given law enforcement access to a vast web of Ring cameras. The decision came after Amazon faced substantial backlash for airing a Super Bowl ad that was meant to be warm and fuzzy, but instead came across as disturbing and dystopian.
Ring’s Founder Knows You Hated That Super Bowl Ad. Since the commercial aired, Jamie Siminoff has been trying to quell an outcry over privacy concerns with his doorbell cameras.
Platforms bend over backward to help DHS censor ICE critics, advocates say MM
Anthropic is clashing with the Pentagon over AI use
Anthropic’s relationship with the Department of Defense is “under review” as the two sides negotiate over how the company’s AI models can be used.
The startup wants assurance that its models will not be used for autonomous weapons or mass surveillance.
The DOD wants to use Anthropic’s models “for all lawful use cases” without limitation
David Sacks, the venture capitalist serving as the administration’s AI and crypto czar, has accused Anthropic of supporting “woke AI” because of its stance on regulation.
Our Big Data Overlords
Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda
Mark Zuckerberg faces jury in landmark trial over alleged youth harm linked to social media
The lawsuit, K.G.M. v. Meta Platforms, Inc., et al., was filed by a 20-year-old California woman identified by her initials. She alleges that Meta and other tech companies deliberately engineered their platforms to hook young users, contributing to her depression and suicidal thoughts, and seeks to hold them accountable.
Regarding Instagram’s enforcement efforts, plaintiffs asked whether Meta removed all 4 million under-13 users the company had identified on the platform in 2018. Zuckerberg responded that while the company did not remove all of them, it had implemented tools to detect and address underage accounts and was working to improve those systems.
According to reports, Zuckerberg has not directly answered the central question of the case: whether Instagram is addictive. The plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Lanier, asked if people tend to use something more if it’s addictive. “I’m not sure what to say to that,” Zuckerberg said. “I don’t think that applies here.”
He said he believes in the “basic assumption” that “if something is valuable, people will use it more because it’s useful to them.”
When he was asked about his compensation, Zuckerberg said he has pledged to give “almost all” of his money to charity, focusing on scientific research. Lanier asked him how much money he has pledged to victims impacted by social media, to which Zuckerberg replied, “I disagree with the characterization of your question.”
Zuckerberg's courthouse entourage showed up in Meta Ray-Bans
Meta Adding Facial Recognition to Its Smart Glasses That Identifies People in Real Time, Hoping the Public Is Too Distracted by Political Turmoil to Care MM
Apple sued by West Virginia for alleged failure to stop child sexual abuse material on iCloud, iOS devices
SpaceX said to weigh dual-class IPO shares to empower Musk
Macron Blasts Social Media’s Free Speech Defense as ‘Bullshit’
The stupid (ESG edition)
Goldman Sachs to Drop D.E.I. Criteria for Board Members MM
The move would be the Wall Street firm’s latest retreat from diversity mandates that its chief executive, David Solomon, had once made a priority.
The decision is a result of a deal that Goldman struck with the National Legal and Policy Center, a conservative nonprofit group that has been pressuring numerous companies to drop diversity, equity and inclusion mandates, the people said.
As part of its agreement with Goldman, the National Legal and Policy Center, which has a small investment in the bank, withdrew a shareholder proposal demanding that diversity criteria for the board be dropped.
In March 2019, Mr. Solomon, his top deputy John Waldron and the firm’s chief financial officer at the time, Stephen M. Scherr, declared diversity and inclusion “a top priority.”
“When we unite around a common goal, we make progress together,” the men wrote in an email to the staff. They said they would “improve each year” toward goals that included a new recruiting class comprising “50 percent women, 11 percent Black professionals and 14 percent Hispanic/Latino professionals in the Americas, and 9 percent Black professionals in the U.K.”
The next year, Mr. Solomon said Goldman would no longer take a company public in the United States or Europe unless it had at least one “diverse” board member. By 2021, a company would need at least two diverse board members in order for Goldman to agree to work on its initial public offering.
Inspire Investing CEO: Nike’s DEI Is A Legal Liability, Shareholders Coming For Answers
Nike’s DEI fight is no longer just a social media "culture war" argument. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is investigating Nike over allegations the company’s DEI practices discriminated against white employees and job applicants.
Robert Netzly, CEO of Inspire Investing: "Discrimination, whether it’s black people or white people, gay people or straight people, is discrimination."
Robert Netzly is a globally recognized authority in the Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) movement, author of the book "Biblically Responsible Investing: On Wall Street As It Is In Heaven." Robert holds a B.S. degree in Liberal Studies from an online university.
This article was from OutKick, which aims to expose the destructive nature of "woke" activism and is the antidote to the mainstream sports media that often serves an elite, left-leaning minority instead of the American sports fan. OutKick is owned by Fox Sports' parent company Fox Corporation
Federal agency sues Coca-Cola bottler over work event that excluded men
A Coca-Cola distributor and bottler is being sued for alleged sexual discrimination over a corporate networking event that excluded men, announced the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which filed the lawsuit
According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, in September 2024, Bedford, N.H.-headquartered Coca-Cola Northeast held a two-day employer-sponsored trip and networking event at the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut. Coca-Cola Northeast privately invited female employees and then excused the female employees who attended the event from their normal work duties on Sept. 10 and 11, 2024, and paid them their normal salary or wages without requiring them to use vacation or other paid time off. Coca-Cola Northeast did not invite any male employees to the event.
Trump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public health
US President Donald Trump has reversed a key Obama-era scientific ruling that underpins all federal actions on curbing planet-warming gases.
The so-called 2009 "endangerment finding" concluded that a range of greenhouse gases were a threat to public health. It's become the legal bedrock of federal efforts to rein in emissions, especially in vehicles.
Bill Maher Eviscerates Donald Trump Over ‘Biggest Dick Move in American History’
The boring (ESG edition)
Starbucks' investor group urges shareholders to replace directors over labor row
Starbucks faced fresh pressure on Wednesday from a coalition of investors including public-sector pension funds that urged shareholders to vote against the reelection of two directors, citing persistent failure to manage labor relations.
The move against Starbucks' lead independent director, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, and Beth Ford, chair of the board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, comes as the company is locked in a prolonged effort to reach a collective agreement with its unionized baristas.
Companies are cycling through CEOs—and replacing them with first-timers MM
Some 168 new CEOs were appointed in 2025, the highest total since 2010. The defining shift was who got the job. Among incoming CEOs, 84% were serving in their first enterprise CEO role, reversing a multi-year tilt toward leaders with prior public-company experience.
As recently as 2024, more than one in five new CEOs had already led a public company. That share fell sharply in 2025. Of the 140 first-time CEOs appointed, 116 had no prior enterprise CEO experience. Two-thirds had never served on a public company board, meaning many are stepping into the role without prior exposure to shareholder oversight or public company governance.
CEO hopefuls have a new rival for the top job: their own board directors
Appointing board directors as CEOs was once a “break glass in case of emergency” strategy reserved for scandal, illness, or sudden resignation. While it remains a minority path compared with traditional internal promotions, it is no longer an anomaly.
New data from Spencer Stuart highlights the shift. Of the 168 new S&P 1500 chief executives appointed in 2025, the highest annual total since 2010, 19 were drawn from their own company boards, the most since 2020. Spencer Stuart classifies directors as outsiders because they lack day-to-day operating responsibility. Even so, more boards are turning to them.
Wall Street banks are paying their CEOs like it’s 2006 again
Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick's pay rises 32% to $45mln
Bank of America Lifts Moynihan’s Pay 17% to $41 Million for 2025
Barclays Ceo Pay Hike: Barclays lifts CEO Venkatakrishnan’s pay to over £15 million as bonus pool rises
Citigroup bumps CEO Jane Fraser’s pay to record $59m
Bro Culture (The Epstein Edition)
Thomas Pritzker, Named in Epstein Files, Retires as Hyatt Executive Chairman
Tom Pritzker Retires as Executive Chairman of Hyatt After 22 Years of Service and Will Not Stand for Reelection to Board of Directors
The Board has appointed Mark S. Hoplamazian, Hyatt’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to succeed Mr. Pritzker as Chairman of the Board
“Tom’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Hyatt’s strategy and long-term growth, and we thank him for his service and dedication to Hyatt,” said Richard Tuttle, Chair of the Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. “The Board has engaged in thoughtful succession planning, and we are confident that Mark’s deep knowledge of Hyatt’s business, strong relationships with owners and colleagues, and proven track record as CEO of nearly two decades positions him well to serve as Chairman and continue driving Hyatt’s long-term success.”
In a letter to the Hyatt Hotels’ Board of Directors, Tom Pritzker wrote, “My job and responsibility is to provide good stewardship. That is important to me. Good stewardship includes ensuring a proper transition at Hyatt. Following discussions with my fellow Board members, I have decided, after serving as Executive Chairman since 2004, and with the company in a strong position, that now is the right time for me to retire from Hyatt. Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which I deeply regret. I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner. I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell, and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”
Dubai’s DP World replaces CEO after Epstein links emerge
Dubai’s DP World announced Essa Kazim was the new chairman of its board of directors and Yuvraj Narayan was its new group chief executive officer, replacing Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
Sulayem had been the CEO of Dubai’s largest port operator since 2016 and chairman since 2007.
DOJ records showed years of exchanges with Epstein, but Sulayem has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
Casey Wasserman to sell talent agency following Jefferey Epstein controversy
Casey Wasserman has confirmed that he has started the process of selling his talent agency after it was uncovered that he had ties with Jefferey Epstein.
The announcement comes as artists began to leave the agency after it was uncovered that the Wasserman CEO had extensive ties with Jeffrey Epstein and had sent flirtatious emails to Ghislaine Maxwell.
Despite denying that he had any personal or business ties with either, Wasserman sent an apology to the 4,000 employees who work at his sports marketing and talent agency, confirming that he would be stepping down from the company.
He said: “I’m deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort […] It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.”
Former Victoria's Secret CEO Les Wexner testifies in House Epstein investigation
The billionaire behind the retail empire that once blanketed shopping malls with names such as Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch told members of Congress on Wednesday that he was “duped by a world-class con man” — close financial adviser Jeffrey Epstein. Les Wexner also denied knowing about the late sex offender’s crimes or participating in Epstein’s abuse of girls and young women.
“I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.”
Wexner described himself to the lawmakers as a philanthropist, community builder and grandfather who always strove “to live my life in an ethical manner in line with my moral compass,” according to the statement.
Top Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathy Ruemmler to resign over Epstein links
The latest Justice Department release revealed a trove of communication between the two, including about potential jobs, her romantic life and gifts Epstein had given her. (She called him “sweetie” and “Uncle Jeffrey.”)
Goldman's CEO David Solomon says he 'reluctantly' let top lawyer Kathy Ruemmler go after Epstein fallout MM
King Charles’ brother Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has acknowledged traveling to Jeffrey Epstein’s island and meeting him on another occasion.
Elon’s bro quits Burning Man board amid outrage over Epstein connection
Blowhard Index
Salesforce cofounder 'not OK' with Benioff's ICE crack: 'Marc made a very bad joke.'
The comments occurred during a keynote address at the company’s annual internal "Company Kickoff" (CKO) event in Las Vegas, sparking a significant backlash from employees and leadership alike.
During the keynote, Benioff reportedly asked employees who had traveled to the event from outside the United States to stand up for recognition. Once they were standing, he made a "joke" to the effect of: "Thank you! Just so the ICE agents [in the building] know [who you are]."
He reportedly made a follow-up "callback" later in the presentation, suggesting that ICE agents were also monitoring those who hadn't yet used a specific new Slackbot tool.
And another joke about ICE surveilling employee travel: when there are literally employees afraid to travel for work due to current situation
Salesforce famously promotes a culture of "Ohana" (family) and equality.
Parker Harris (Cofounder): In a follow-up meeting, Harris reportedly called the jokes a "violation of the Code of Conduct" and even noted they could be considered a "fireable offense" for a typical employee.
Rob Seaman (Slack GM): The head of the Salesforce-owned platform Slack sent a memo to staff stating he "cannot defend or explain" the jokes and that they did not align with his values.
Salesforce employees call on CEO Benioff to cancel ICE ‘opportunities’
Elon Musk says Anthropic's philosopher has no stake in the future because she doesn't have kids
Palantir, Which Is Powering ICE, Says Immigration Crackdown May Hurt Hiring MM
From 10-K filed 2 days ago: “if we are not able to recruit, hire, or retain the talent we need because of increased regulation of immigration or work visas … it could be more difficult to staff our personnel on customer engagements and could increase our costs … Additionally, laws and regulations, such as restrictive immigration laws, may limit our ability to recruit outside of the United States ... If we fail to attract new personnel or to retain our current personnel, our business and operations could be harmed.”
