Emkao Foods wins 2025 Binghamton Business Plan Competition
Mayor Jared Kraham held a news conference on Monday with the Binghamton Local Development Corporation and SUNY Broome's Entrepreneurial Assistance Program to announce Emkao Foods as the winner of the 15th annual Binghamton Business Plan Competition.
The competition awards a $7,000 cash prize and administrative support to the contestant who submits the best plan for developing a business in the City of Binghamton.
Emkao Foods is redefining the chocolate industry. It imports, manufactures, and supplies premium cocoa ingredients, sourcing its beans directly from small farms in Cameroon. Its business model focuses on sustainability while working to control quality, reduce costs, and support fair trade.
With the cash prize, Emkao plans to establish a manufacturing operation at 73 Griswold Street on the East Side of Binghamton.
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Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Best early Prime Day and 4th of July sales LIVE — 39+ deals I'd shop now on TVs, apparel, grills and more
This weekend sees a double-deals event extravaganza! Right now retailers are rolling out 4th of July sales, leading to some of the biggest sales of the summer on appliances, TVs, apparel, mattresses and more. And don't forget, Prime Day is coming on July 8th, meaning there are a ton of early Prime Day sales to take advantage of too. I'm a Deals Editor at Tom's Guide, so I've been scouring the web and comparing all the 4th of July and Prime Day sales to find the ones that are truly worth your time and money. Some of my favorites include this sale with $1,000 off the LG 65-inch C5 4K OLED TV at Amazon. It's the lowest price I've seen for this model, and we rank it as the best OLED TV on the market. There's also a ton of great sales happening on summer apparel. For example, you can get Lululemon apparel and accessories from $9, as well as Carhartt apparel on sale from $9 at Amazon. For some of the most comfortable shoes out there, don't miss out on Amazon's Skechers sale from $11. Or, if you're looking for a new mattress, you can get a massive $400 off mattresses at Serta. (For more mattress savings, check out the best 4th of July mattress deals.) Stay tuned for all the best 4th of July sales, and the best early Prime Day deals, of the weekend. Millie Davis-Williams Deals Writer I'm Millie Davis-Williams, a deals writer for Tom's Guide. I've spent the last three years tracking deals on everything from Apple products to Crocs. I'll help you find the deals worth your money by highlighting my top picks in this year's Memorial Day sales. My favorite 4th of July sales Prime for Young Adults: 50% off @ Amazon Prime for Young Adults is a new Prime membership for 18 to 24 year olds. Eligible members can get a 6-month free trial and then pay $7.49/month or $69/year for their Prime membership. It includes all of the perks of a regular Prime membership such as same-day/one-day delivery, free Grubhub+ membership, access to Prime Video, and more. In addition, all Prime members now earn 5% cash back on select categories (beauty, apparel, electronics, etc). and will earn 10% cash back on those same categories during Prime Day. YETI sale: up to 25% off @ Amazon If you're a fan of YETI, you know that a sale doesn't come around often enough. That's why now is the perfect opportunity to save big on drinkware and cooler deals starting at just $15. So don't wait — snag a new cooler or water bottle before these discounts disappear! Amazon Haul: apparel from $5 If you're not familiar, Amazon Haul is a new storefront featuring inexpensive deals on fashion, home, lifestyle, and more. Right now they have a massive sale with deep discounts on brands like Adidas, Under Armour, Timberland, and more. As part of their latest sale, you can get name-brand apparel from $5. Lego sale: deals from $8 @ Amazon The best Lego deals can usually be found in November and December, but Amazon is slashing the price of select sets. You can get everything from Disney to Star Wars as well as generic sets. Carhartt sale: deals from $9 @ Amazon If you're looking to upgrade your wardrobe, Carhartt has tons of rugged and stylish pieces you'll want to rock all season long. 4th of July sale: deals from $9 @ Walmart Independence Day is just two weeks away — and of you're gearing up for celebration or barbecues to celebrate the holiday, Walmart has plenty of festive deals to help prepare you. From decor and fashion to coolers and grilling essentials, shop Walmart's 4th of July shop for everything you need. Brightech Outdoor String Lights: was $47 now $21 at Amazon Nothing adds outdoor ambiance like a killer playlist and the very best solar lights. This outdoor-rated pack is built with shatterproof plastic bulbs that are currently 54% off at Amazon. Plug them in when the sun sets and enjoy 27 feet-worth and up to six full hours of a soft, white glow. YETI Rambler Straw Mug (42 oz): was $45 now $36 at Amazon The 42oz Rambler Straw Mug is on sale for a nice 20% discount. With its large handle and straw, it's one of the most comfortable Yeti mugs to drink from and it has the capacity to keep you hydrated all day. TV sale: deals from $69 @ Amazon Amazon has smart TVs on sale for as low as $69. Keep in mind, the cheap TVs tend to be smaller, 1080p models (which are more suitable for a children's room or guest room). However, the sale also includes larger sets. These are among the cheapest TVs we've seen from Amazon. By comparison, Best Buy is offering a similar sale with prices from $69. Price check: from $69 @ Best Buy | from $74 @ Walmart Grill sale: deals from $89 @ Amazon Amazon is offering one of the biggest grill sales we've seen with prices across the board. Brands on sale include Blackstone, Weber, Pit Boss, and more. After discount, deals start as little as $89 for a charcoal-based grill. Patio and garden event: up to 50% off @ Walmart Walmart has launched a major savings event to help you refresh your garden. If you're looking to upgrade your garden, deck or patio for less, consider Walmart's outdoor living section your one-stop shop. The retail giant is currently offering unbeatable discounts of up to 50% on stylish and functional outdoor items, including string lights, fire pits, lounge chairs, garden beds and more. Saatva Classic: was $1,399 now $999 at View at Saatva The best Saatva mattress sale is back for the 4th of July with $400 off all orders over $1,000 when you follow our links. That means you can get a queen Saatva Classic for $1,699 (was $2,099), one of the cheapest prices we've seen this year (the cheapest was $1,695). Our team has been consistently impressed with Saatva mattresses and the flagship Classic has earned full marks. We spent over seven months testing it for our Saatva Classic Mattress review, awarding this luxury hybrid innerspring mattress five stars for support, temperature regulation and motion isolation. And with three firmness levels and two heights available, it's a good pick for almost any sleep style. Plus, Saatva offers the best benefits on the market, with a full year's trial, lifetime warranty and free white glove delivery. Apparel Adidas sale: deals from $6 @ Amazon The Adidas Store at Amazon is offering a wide variety of deals on men's/women's/children's sweat pants, hoodies, socks, and more. After discount, deals start as low as $6. Carhartt sale: deals from $9 @ Amazon If you're looking to upgrade your wardrobe, Carhartt has tons of rugged and stylish pieces you'll want to rock all season long. Timberland sale: deals from $9 @ Amazon Amazon is hosting a huge Timberland sale with up to 60% off. Timberland has tons of rugged and fashionable footwear and apparel to boost your style. Skechers shoes/apparel: from $11 @ Amazon Amazon is having a massive Skechers sale post Prime Day. The sale includes sneakers and apparel for men, women, and children on sale from $11. As part of the sale, you can get the Skechers Hands Free Slip Ins for $45 (was $110, pictured). TVs Hisense 55" U6QF Mini-LED TV: was $799 now $479 at Best Buy Hisense is setting a new bar for value with its U6QF Mini-LED TV, which drops Google TV in favor of Fire TV. You still get an awesome suite of features built on a 144Hz refresh rate with HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos support. As one of the cheapest options to get for gaming, the U6QF is a powerful display for PC gamers leveraging tons of brightness. TCL 65" QM7K Mini-LED TV: was $1,499 now $999 at Amazon The TCL QM7K is a budget-friendly Mini-LED TV that is perfect for folks who want to upgrade to a truly impressive TV without breaking the bank. It features built-in Google TV with Chromecast, a slate of sought-after gaming features and a bright, colorful picture worthy of movie night. Outdoors Coleman Utopia Breeze Lightweight Beach Chair: was $50 now $31 at Amazon This lightweight beach chair by Coleman folds up and comes with a bag for easy carrying. Plus, it features a seat back pocket and cup holder to hold your clothes, drinks and other beach gear. A relaxed back rest with full seat support makes this beach chair the one to buy — especially for just $31. Flamaker All-Weather Rattan Outdoor Set: was $109 now $89 at Amazon Perfect for a compact space or balcony, this 3-piece set consists of two, high back armchairs with sponge-filled cushions for extra comfort, and a tempered glass tabletop for your drinks and food. With its premium PE rattan design, these are sturdy, weatherproof and easy to clean/maintain. A stylish addition to any backyard. Best Choice Products Lounge Chair Recliners (Set of 2): was $129 now $99 at Amazon Lounge in your backyard, on your patio or poolside in ultimate comfort with this set of padded, weather-resistant reclining chairs. The chairs conform to your body while an adjustable headrest adds an extra level of comfort. They also feature a lightweight, folding design so you can bring them along with you to the beach, park or your next tailgate. Best Choice Products Solar Patio Umbrella: was $119 now $99 at Amazon Whether you want to stay shaded all day, or you're hosting a spring fling, this 10 ft, solar patio umbrella is ideal. Designed with a 3-tired, vented top, this umbrella will protect you from the sun and wind, whilst providing enough air-flow. It's easy to use, with a crank system for easy storage, and a push-button tilt to suit your needs. What's more, the 24 solar-powered lights are pre-installed on the eight frame ribs, to illuminate your yard when the sun comes down. Mattresses Cozy Earth Summer Sale: up to 35% off @ Cozy Earth From towel sets to premium bedding, Cozy Earth is taking 30% off summer bedding, apparel, bath, and accessories right now. Plus, use coupon code "TOMSGUIDE" at checkout to save 35% off. We're fans of this bamboo duvet cover from $187 after coupon, which helps you maintain the perfect temperature throughout the night. It'll keep you sleeping cool and comfortably during warm summer days. It includes interior snap closures to seamlessly pair with your comforter. Purple Mattress: was $999 now $699 at Purple Purple mattresses use the a malleable GelFlex Grid to create adaptive and unique pressure relief — in our Purple Original Mattress review we described it as delivering a "floating" sensation as you sleep. In the current Purple sale you can save up to $400 on the Purple Original, reducing a queen to just $999. Purple sales can be unpredictable so we recommend you take advantage of this discount while it's still live. All Purple mattresses come with a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty. Helix Midnight Luxe: was $1,436 now $1,077 at Helix Sleep Use coupon code "TOMS27" to save 27% sitewide in the 4th of July Helix mattress sale. Our top pick is the Helix Midnight Luxe which we consider it a top mattress for side sleepers. Our Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review found it nailed the balance of cushioning and support, with plush comfort at the hips and shoulders. If you aren't a side sleeper, skip the Midnight Luxe and consider the responsive support of the Dusk Luxe instead (we described it as "dreamy" for back and stomach sleepers in our Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review.) Both are 27% off with code "TOMS27" with a queen priced $1,751.03 (was $2,398.66.) All Helix mattresses come with a 100-night trial and a limited lifetime warranty. Appliances Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max: was $139 now $109 at Amazon The 511i Max suits up to 926 sq ft room and comes with 5 cleaning modes (3 fan speeds, auto and night mode). There's only two buttons to control everything, keeping things simple, but it also connects to the Blueair app so you can schedule its use and monitor the quality of your air remotely. Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer: was $219 now $159 at Amazon The Ninja Flip stainless steel model is also on sale. It has 8 functions in one convenient and versatile machine: air fry, roast, bake, toast and more. When you're not using it, you can flip it up and away, which will give you 50% more counter space back. Shark Stratos Cordless : was $499 now $345 at Amazon The premium Shark Stratos Cordless brings strong suction and clever features like odor neutralization. The dual brushroll system handles both carpet and hard floors effectively, while the LED headlights help spot hidden dust. Save big right now. KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-quart Stand Mixer: was $449 now $349 at Amazon This pretty KitchenAid stand mixer has a large-capacity mixing bowl, three attachments to knead, beat, and whip ingredients, and a pouring shield that prevents splashes. It's super intuitive and has 10 speeds to ensure everything you're mixing is blended perfectly. It also houses a central hub for extra attachments, including a pasta maker or spiralizer. Headphones Anker Soundcore P20i: was $39 now $19 at Amazon If you're willing to live without active noise-cancellation, these Soundcore by Anker P20i buds are fantastic value for money. Offering 10mm drivers for impressive "big" bass, along with Bluetooth 5.3, 30-hour battery life, water-resistance, 22 preset EQs and in-app customisation, which is great for this price. 1More SonoFlow SE: was $54 now $49 at Amazon They may cost less than $55, but the 1More SonoFlow SE are still an incredible pair of headphones. Packing 50-hour battery life, robust sound, great ANC and excellent sound quality, these 'phones delivery pretty much everything you could want for a very low price. In our 1More SonoFlow SE review, we rated them 4/5 stars. Sennheiser Accentum: was $179 now $129 at Amazon The Sennheiser Accentum provide impressive sound quality, noise canceling and battery life for a low price. In our Sennheiser Accentum review, we noted that they last for up to 50 hours of playtime and a 10-minute quick charge nets you 5 hours of use. They're also solidly built and comfortable enough to wear for hours. Laptops Apple MacBook Air 13" (M4/256GB): was $999 now $849 at Amazon Apple's M4 chipset powers this MacBook Air. It upgrades the camera from 1080p to 12MP with Center Stage support. The M4 chipset also supports dual external monitors, even when you have the laptop's lid open. It packs a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (2560 x 1664), Apple's M4 CPU with a 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. In our MacBook Air M4 review, we said the Editor's Choice laptop is irresistible thanks to its speedy performance, sharper camera and lower starting price. Gigabyte G6 KF 16: was $999 now $849 at Amazon For under $1,000, you can pick up this solid all-around gaming laptop from Gigabyte. Not only does Nvidia's entry level 40-series graphics card ensure this system supports ray tracing, the presence of an Intel Core i7- 13620H CPU with 16GB of DDR5 RAM should ensure the G6 will run many titles at a smooth 60 frames per second or above at the laptop's native screen resolution of 1920 x 1200.
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
If You Have A Busy Social Schedule Coming Up, These 23 Target Dresses Will Have Your Back
An asymmetrical tube mini dress that's giving main character energy all day long. Whether you're headed to a rooftop hang or just grabbing coffee, this sleek stunner knows how to make an entrance. Promising review: "I wear this dress with sandals at the park or heels on a warm night out! The material is so so nice for the heat, and the color makes it so easy to dress up or down." —PFPrice: $25 (available in sizes XXS–4X and three colors) A breezy A-line maxi dress that'll have you floating through farmers markets and golden hour walks like it's your full-time job. Easy, flowy, and just the right kind of relaxed. Promising review: "This dress is perfect! Love everything about it. Especially the pockets got to love a dress with pockets." —coffeeeequeeennPrice: $24.50 (originally $35; available in sizes XS–4X and two colors) A midi sweater dress that's basically a daydream wrapped in fabric. It stretches, it flows, it attracts compliments — and it might just become your new uniform. Promising review: "This dress is beautiful! Fits true to size, 5'3' and bought a size small. The dress has pockets and is very comfortable, feeling high-quality. Great summer dress, highly recommend!" —cm41Price: $26.60 (originally $38; available in sizes 1X–4X) A button-front mini dress so sweet and twirlable, it practically begs for spontaneous photo ops and fresh-picked flowers. Add sneakers or sandals and you're good to glow. Promising review: "Bought this dress in the red paisley print, which has small stars all over — so cute! Perfect for the patriotic holidays starting with Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, and any day in between. The a-line cut is perfect, and the v-neck is just right, not too low. Overall, this dress fits true to size. Love! —SaraPrice: $21 (originally $30; available in sizes XS–4X and three colors/patterns) A midi sweater dress that's the perfect balance of cozy and laid back. It's breathable enough for sunny strolls, but still totally polished for whatever's on your summer schedule. Promising review: "I got so many compliments on this dress! People thought it was designer and were absolutely shocked when I said it was from Target! My only complaint is that the slip is short and gets kind of twisted at the top. I might remove it and just wear a different one underneath." —TGT_fan45202Price: $26.60 (originally $38; available in sizes XS–4X) A mini dress with super fun, voluminous sleeves that amp up the vibe of the otherwise simple design. Promising review: "Got this dress in the floral print. The corset silhouette enhances my curves in the best way! Fits true to size. 10/10!" —JessicaPrice: $24.50 (originally $35; available in sizes 0–26 and three colors) A midi shift dress that channels the best of the late 2000s. The flowy fabric and high neck give it that perfect nostalgic feel, but with a modern twist that's ready for summer! Promising review: 'Purchased for a cruise last year — it's perfect for evening dinners or paired with joggers during the day with a cute handbag or crossbody. My only buying two.😃' —AnnettePrice: $16.50 (originally $30; available in sizes XS–4X and three colors) A cool and comfy linen sundress that practically whispers 'lake day' with every step. Light, airy, and effortlessly stylish — it's your go-to for catching sunshine and compliments all at once. Promising review: "I love this dress, the fabric is beautiful and I love the little blue birds on it. Only thing is if you are heavy chested, the top half may fit odd, but other than that I love how it complements my body type (short and thick)." —Ginger91Price: $17.50 (originally $35; available in sizes XS–4X and four colors) A seersucker maxi A-line dress which nails that polished-but-playful vibe. With preppy flair and easy elegance, this dress is your secret weapon for summer outings that call for a little extra charm. Promising review: "I bought this in white at the store last night with no special place/plan to wear to it; I just loved it. Now, I am back online adding all the rest of the colors because seersucker makes everything fabulous!" —Madame MondesirPrice: $24.50 (originally $35; available in sizes XS–4X and two colors) A pleated mini sundress made for farmers markets, rooftop brunches, or any warm-weather moment where you want to look cute and feel comfy. Rain or shine, you're ready. Promising review: "Such a cute and flirty piece! I just got this in the mail and can't wait to style this for the spring and summer! I normally wear a size large and this fits true to size!" —itgirl29Price: $23.80 (originally $28; available in sizes XS–XXL and two colors) A woven mini shift dress that lets your shoulders finally have their moment. You've earned this sunshine-ready look after months of layers — just add SPF and you're golden. Promising review: "This dress is perfect for all types of occasions. Dress it up or hang at home in it. Last year, I bought a few, bought three already this year, and plan on buying at least three more. The price is wonderful; a good all-around dress." —Woven linen mini dressPrice: $17.50 (originally $25; available in sizes XXL–4X and four colors) A floral flared sleeve dress made for sipping something fruity drink under a palm tree — or at least manifesting vacation vibes wherever you are. Loose, light, and loaded with wanderlust. Promising review: "Lightweight fabric! Easy to wash and iron!" —ElisaPrice: $42.23+ (originally $47.99; available in sizes S–XL and two colors) An open back maxi dress (yes, with pockets!) that's straight out of your dream feed. One twirl, one sunset, and your camera roll is officially full — because this stunner deserves a spotlight. Promising review: "You need this dress! It's lightweight and breezy. It has pockets and the navy print is so perfect for the summer. If you have a smaller chest you could size down." —Kollette CPrice: $24.50 (originally $35; available in sizes XS–4X and four colors) A white crochet lace dress equally ideal for dancing in a wildflower field or absolutely owning the office. Either way, you're giving CEO energy — with a soft, stylish twist. Price: $34.80 (originally $58, available in sizes XS–L) A halter-neck dress that walks the line between classy and cheeky. It shows just enough shoulder and delivers just the right amount of sass — who says solo invites can't lead to standout nights? Promising review: "Absolutely gorgeous! Slightly stretchy and falls perfectly." —KerriganPrice: $99 (available in sizes XS–XL and seven colors) A patterned maxi dress that feels like it floated out of your imagination. With a soft, flowy silhouette and all-day comfort, it's perfect for painting in the park or turning heads at twilight happy hours. Price: $119 (available in sizes S–L) A rib-knit midi bodycon dress to show off exactly the right way. Layer it up or rock it solo — it's a closet MVP either way. Promising review: "The fabric is nice and thick and won't stretch out as you wear it throughout the day. The arm holes also fully cover the sides of your bra. I'd say it fits true to size and works if you're tall." —ecurranPrice: $14 (originally $20; available in sizes XS–4X and six colors) A ruffle sleeve mini A-line dress which is basically sunshine in dress form. Think: sipping something floral at a garden party where you're the best-dressed guest without even trying. Psst: some reviewers say it runs a bit large in the review: "This ruffle dress is adorable!!! It does run a little large, especially if you have smaller boobs. Great quality for the price, especially if you can get it on sale!" —MringPrice: $28 (available in sizes XXS–XXL and three colors) A mini sundress with nautical vibes that channels yacht energy — stripes for seaside daydreams, solids for infinite versatility. Dessert run or dinner party? You'll look the part. Promising review: "Wonderful color and material. Very pretty and comfortable. Great for hot weather, for sure. I love wearing dresses in the summer and this one is so cute!" —Perfect ThrowPrice: $10.50 (originally $15; available in sizes XS–4X and four colors) A bow-back mini A-line dress that looks like it came straight from a boutique in the cutest part of town. Prepare for compliments, questions, and maybe a few copycats. Promising review: "Love that the front is conservative and then it surprises you with the open back! I'm smaller-chested, so I had to be mindful to sit up straight to keep the straps from falling. I got a lot of compliments on it! The pink is awesome." —M Price: $30 (available in sizes XXS–4X and four colors) A mini shirtdress that feels like wearing your coziest pajamas — but make it fashion. So comfy you'll forget you're not at home, so cute you'll want to wear it everywhere. Price: $38.94 (originally $64.90; available in sizes XS–2X and four styles) A linen mini vest dress both tailored and carefree. It's perfect for rooftop cocktails and spontaneous park hangs. Promising review: "Bought this in black and loved it so much, I bought the other colors, too. It's the best Target dress I've ever had." —AmandaPrice: $21 (originally $30; available in sizes M–4X and three colors) And a tank mini sweater dress, which flawlessly hits the just-right mark. Warm enough for AC blasts but cool enough for a day out in the sun. It's the Goldilocks of your wardrobe, no doubt. Promising review: "The dress fits perfectly. The fabric is soft and not see-through. Can dress it up with some wedges or dress down with some sandals or sneakers." —YMiamiPrice: $15 (originally $25; available in sizes XS–4X and four colors)
Atlantic
2 days ago
- Atlantic
Google Might Be Next to Settle With Trump
Of all the titans of social media, Google CEO Sundar Pichai tried to keep the groveling to a minimum after Donald Trump won last year. He did not, like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, go on podcasts to praise the benefits of 'masculine energy' or hire the new president's close friend, the UFC boss Dana White, to his board of directors. He did not, like X owner Elon Musk, go to work in the White House or publicly declare his straight-man 'love' for Trump. Unlike TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, Pichai never pushed a notification to all app users (with an exclamation point!) thanking Trump for his efforts. There was instead a brief visit to Mar-a-Lago, the requisite $1 million Google donation to Trump's inaugural fund, and the stoic appearance as a background prop during the ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda. Even Pichai's statement that day read dutiful and dry: 'We look forward to working with you to usher in a new era of technology + AI innovation that will benefit all Americans.' But the man who runs YouTube may soon get another opportunity to demonstrate his fealty. Trump had sued Zuckerberg, Pichai, and the former CEO of Twitter (which Musk later purchased and renamed X) in 2021 for restricting his accounts after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The president alleged that the companies and executives had illegally censored him at the urging of U.S. political leaders, violating his First Amendment rights. It was an ironic argument from a politician who likes to settle political grudges with governmental threats. But it was an effective one: During their postelection courtships of Trump, Zuckerberg settled his case with a payment of $25 million, mostly to Trump's presidential-library fund, and Musk followed with $10 million more. Now it may be Pichai's turn. Lawyers for President Trump and Pichai have begun 'productive discussions' about the next steps of the case against YouTube, 'with additional discussions anticipated in the near future,' according to briefs filed in a San Francisco federal court shortly after Memorial Day that appear to have escaped public notice. The parties have asked the judge to give them until September 2 to come to an agreement on a path forward. 'I can't talk about that,' John Cole, a lawyer in the case for Trump, told me when I called to ask about settlement talks. José Castañeda, a spokesperson for Google, also declined to comment. The fact that the talks are happening at all says more about Trump's remarkable use of presidential power than his legal prowess or the merits of his case. In 2022, a federal district court dismissed Trump's case against X after concluding that Trump had failed to 'plausibly allege' that Twitter's decision to ban his account was directed by the government. Trump's case against YouTube was put on hold while Trump appealed the X case to the Ninth Circuit, which appeared likely to rule against Trump again. But Musk's decision to settle his case while he was working alongside Trump in the White House prevented the appeals court from issuing a decision, and effectively reopened the YouTube case this spring. That has left Pichai with a difficult choice: Continue with a legal fight he may win on the merits and risk the wrath of the president of the United States, or agree to give some money to Trump's presidential library and move on. The whole situation is head-spinning: Trump has shown that he can successfully use the powers of his elected office to threaten private companies into settling civil suits even when the cases are based on the allegation that those same companies broke the law by caving to the demands of politicians like him. 'Essentially what this means is that the English language has failed us,' Robert Corn-Revere, the general counsel of the free-speech group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, told me. 'We need a stronger word than hypocrisy to describe these kinds of activities.' The incoherence of Trump's position on the First Amendment has become clear as he has used the power of his office to target the speech of political foes at universities and law firms and uncompliant media outlets such as the Associated Press, while simultaneously condemning the very idea that the government should ever try to restrict the speech of his political allies. When the contradiction is pointed out, he dismisses it. His advisers push back fiercely. For Trump, what matters is winning. 'The idea that President Trump is infringing on the First Amendment is a joke,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told me in a statement. 'This story should be about how pitiful it was for Big Tech to censor the former President of the United States—not the other way around. The President is holding these powerful and wealthy institutions accountable for their years of wrongdoing.' Legal observers suggest another way of looking at Trump's approach to free speech. ''I will support my friends and go after the people who oppose me,'' Raymond Brescia, an associate dean at Albany Law School, told me. 'It's hard to look at it any other way.' About three months after he took office, Trump alleged during an Oval Office signing ceremony that the Biden administration had illegally launched Internal Revenue Service investigations into his supporters because of their political views. 'We're finding that many people, just having to do with Trump support, have gone through hell,' he said. 'It's a very illegal thing to do what they did.' I was in the room that day, and I asked Trump how he squared that concern with his decision to entertain changing Harvard University's tax status because he did not like its diversity policies and its handling of on-campus protests. He quickly pivoted. 'Because I think Harvard is a disgrace. I think what they did was a disgrace,' he said. Harvard, of course, has asked a court to rule that Trump's various punishments violate the First Amendment. This week's settlement by Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, offers further evidence of his mindset. Before the 2024 election, Trump filed a lawsuit against CBS Broadcasting Inc., alleging that the network had violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by choosing to air two different edits, on two different shows, of Vice President Kamala Harris's answer to a question. Such editing is a routine part of political journalism, which regularly shortens quotes and tapes for brevity. Trump argued that the version that aired for a larger audience on 60 Minutes made Harris look deceptively better because it left out some of her confusing stammering. Rather than wait for the courts to address the merits of his claim, he applied his own pressure once he regained government power. Trump's new chair of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, reopened a closed complaint alleging that the editing amounted to 'news distortion.' Carr had previously said that the claim should be considered when the FCC weighed approval of the proposed merger of Paramount Global and its new investor, Skydance. Trump egged Carr on. In a post complaining about a different 60 Minutes segment in April, Trump wrote that he hoped Carr would 'impose the maximum fines and punishment' on CBS. Paramount agreed Tuesday to give $16 million to Trump's presidential library to settle the Harris-interview case. Trump's presidential-library foundation, which incorporated in Florida in May, has not yet disclosed its plans for what to do with all the settlement money. Trump's son Eric Trump, his son-in-law Michael Boulos, and an attorney for the Trump Organization, James Kiley, have been named the initial trustees. All the while, the Trump administration has continued to ceremoniously embrace the First Amendment rights of American companies and citizens. On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order called Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship, which condemned the Biden administration for 'exerting substantial coercive pressure' on social-media companies to moderate posts on their sites. Trump declared that it was now the policy of the United States to 'ensure that no Federal Government officer, employee, or agent engages in or facilitates any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen.' 'There is a new sheriff in town,' Vice President J. D. Vance declared on February 14 in Munich, Germany. 'And under Donald Trump's leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer them in the public square, agree or disagree.' Vance didn't mention that just three days earlier, Leavitt had told an Associated Press reporter that, at Trump's direction, the AP would lose its permanent spot in the White House press pool, barring it from the Oval Office and Air Force One, until the wire service started referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the ' Gulf of America.' A district-court judge ruled that this decision violated the First Amendment rights of the AP, though the ruling was later paused by an appellate court after the White House imposed broader changes on how the pool system is organized. The AP, which has not bowed to Trump's demands and has yet to regain its spot, has since been let into the pool on occasion and continues to have access to White House briefings. The courts have not been impressed by such misdirection. Just three months after Trump's executive order barring unconstitutional abridgement of free speech, D.C. federal district Judge Beryl A. Howell ruled that Trump had committed that exact offense. At issue was a March 6 executive order, 14230, that declared that employees of the law firm Perkins Coie should be limited from entering federal buildings, interacting with federal employees, or holding security clearances because of the firm's 'dishonest and dangerous' activity, including the decision to represent Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign and to promote diversity in its hiring practices. Three other federal judges have since thrown out Trump executive orders targeting three more law firms on the same grounds. 'In a cringe-worthy twist on the theatrical phrase 'Let's kill all the lawyers,' EO 14230 takes the approach of 'Let's kill the lawyers I don't like,' sending the clear message: lawyers must stick to the party line, or else,' Judge Howell explained while voiding the executive order. Trump appealed Howell's ruling this week to the D.C. Circuit. Should Pichai choose to fight it out in court with Trump, he would quite possibly get a favorable ruling. When the Ninth Circuit heard the X case in 2023, two of the three judges on the panel questioned the evidence that Trump had gathered to suggest that his ban from Twitter had been caused by government pressure. As in the YouTube case, Trump's lawyers had presented only general comments from public officials about the need for social-media companies to increase moderation, including from members of the House and Senate, then-candidates Joe Biden and Harris, and former first lady Michelle Obama. 'Why do statements from, let's say, four senators at a committee hearing all of a sudden commit all of the power of the federal government to create state action here?' Ninth Circuit Judge Jay Bybee, an appointee of President George W. Bush, asked during oral arguments in the case. 'I don't know of any case that stands for that proposition.' The problem for Pichai is different, of course, as it was for Zuckerberg, Musk, and Paramount—and will be for anyone else Trump targets. Google could end up losing more by prevailing in court than it will win by conceding the case and making an eight-figure donation to Trump's presidential library.
