Democrats project doom and gloom, not celebration, with July 4 messages
"This Fourth of July, I am taking a moment to reflect. Things are hard right now. They are probably going to get worse before they get better," former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote in a post on X that included a photo of her and former first gentleman Doug Emhoff at the White House. "But I love our country — and when you love something, you fight for it. Together, we will continue to fight for the ideals of our nation."
Many social media users were quick to point out that Harris cropped former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden out of the photo. Others took one of Harris' famous phrases to mock her, saying that the country was "unburdened by what has been."
Harris' old boss, former President Joe Biden, posted a more mild message, while also encouraging Americans to "fight to maintain" democracy.
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama also chimed in with a warning of his own, saying that "core democratic principles seem to be continuously under attack." He argued that the word "we" is the "single most powerful word in our democracy," and used his first presidential campaign slogan as one of his examples.
"Independence Day is a reminder that America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We The People.' 'We Shall Overcome.' 'Yes We Can.' America is owned by no one. It belongs to all citizens. And at this moment in history—when core democratic principles seem to be continuously under attack, when too many people around the world have become cynical and disengaged—now is precisely the time to ask ourselves tough questions about how we can build our democracies and make them work in meaningful and practical ways for ordinary people," Obama wrote.
Xi Van Fleet, a survivor of Mao's Cultural Revolution, responded saying, "We the People are taking our country back from those like you who despise America and work tirelessly to dismantle everything it stands for."
Sen. Bernie Sanders appeared to support the anti-Trump "No Kings" movement in his July 4 post.
"On July 4, 1776, Americans said: No to Kings, No to Despotism. On July 4, 2025, all across the country, Americans say again: No to Kings, No to Despotism," Sanders wrote.
In response, several social media users pointed out that, unlike a king, President Donald Trump was elected.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
21 minutes ago
- Forbes
How Trump's Travel Ban And Visa Restrictions Could Affect Hospitals And Public Health
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: A man bearing an upside down American flag watches as protesters gather ... More outside the U.S. Supreme Court as the court issued an immigration ruling June 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. The court issued a 5-4 ruling upholding the Trump administration's policy imposing limits on travel from several primarily Muslim nations. (Photo by) Several hospitals throughout the country are currently without some international medical graduates (IMG) because of President Trump's travel band and visa restrictions. According to the travel ban, citizens from 12 foreign countries are barred from entering the United States, and citizens from seven other countries will also face restrictions, making it difficult for many doctors who have completed medical education in foreign countries to train in America. In addition, on May 27th, the Trump administration restricted certain visas like J-1 visas from being issued which allow foreign medical students to work and train in the United States. The pause on interviews for J-1 visas has since been lifted, but some IMGs have reported to the Associated Press that U.S. embassies have been slow to open interview slots, and some have not opened any. This comes at a critical time, since July 1st marked the first calendar day of medical residencies or training programs throughout the U.S. On July 1st, newly graduated medical students start medical training in their prospective fields such as internal medicine, emergency medicine and surgery; to name a few. Although it remains unclear exactly how many IMGs have had their residency start date delayed due to the travel ban or visa restrictions, nearly 7,000 foreign born IMGs matched or filled into U.S. programs in 2025. This represents nearly 17% of the entire incoming workforce of medical residents in 2025, according to the National Resident Matching Program. Without IMGs joining the medical workforce in America, the physician shortage will be exacerbated for the next decade. In fact, the U.S. will face a physician shortage of 86,000 doctors by 2036, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Less physicians means longer wait times in emergency rooms, delayed diagnoses and significant strain on safety-net hospitals. IMGs make up a critical component of the healthcare workforce, and without them, patient care is directly compromised. IMGs also choose residencies and take jobs in places where U.S. medical trainees tend not to go, according to National Resident Matching Program President Donna Lamb, as reported by the Associated Press. As an example, IMGs make up 40% of residents in internal medicine, a primary care field with a focus on preventing chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. In addition, IMGs play a critical role in serving underserved areas throughout America, providing primary care, cancer screening and emergency care to some of the U.S.'s most vulnerable population. According to a 2021 study published in Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives, more than 64% of IMGs surveyed practiced in medically underserved areas and more than 45% practiced in rural areas. These foreign-grad doctors form the backbone of healthcare in rural America, and without them, the health of the 66 million Americans that are served by rural hospitals could be in jeopardy. Finally, Trump's travel ban could have a chilling effect on future foreign medical applicants to the U.S. Prospective physicians may be deterred from considering medical training programs in America given the challenges and hurdles present in securing visas. Not only will this amplify the physician shortage in the U.S., it will decrease the amount of culturally competent physicians that serve an increasingly diverse population in America. President Trump's travel ban, which has been enacted in the name of national security and public safety, could have serious consequences for public health and medical education. One thing remains certain- IMGs form a vital part of the healthcare workforce in the United States.
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Gamblers will have to pay taxes on their losses thanks to provision in Trump's spending bill
The Trump administration's signature spending package contains a little-known provision which could radically upend the gambling industry. Previously, gamblers could deduct all their losses from their declared income, while still having to pay taxes on their winnings. As a result, bettors were only taxed if they walked away from the table with a net profit. But starting next year, under the new bill, which the president signed into law Friday, bettors can only deduct 90 percent of their losses from their declared income. This sets up the potential for people to pay income taxes even if they ultimately came out of their bets at a loss. Insiders warned the change could drive away professional and recreational gamers alike impacting tax revenue. 'Did anyone think this through?' Russell Fox, a Nevada-based accountant specializing in gambling, told The Washington Post. 'They thought: 'We'll bury this somewhere in the bill. No one will see it, and now we've got $1 billion of income to offset $1 billion of tax cuts.'' 'This is bad long-term for the casino industry,' he added. 'It's bad for gamblers. It's actually bad for the IRS, too. We need a less-complex tax system.' Rep. Dina Titus, a Democratic congresswoman who represents Nevada, said earlier this week she would seek a 'legislative fix' to the provision. 'This is just another attack on gaming and tourism and on districts like mine that rely on these industries,' she said in a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 'This also punishes people who are trying to do the right thing by reporting gambling on their taxes, pushing them towards offshore outlets and the predictions market, which unlike legitimate gambling sources, do not invest in bricks and mortar, pay state taxes, hire union labor, or contribute to problem gaming efforts.' Professional gamblers have also warned about the impact of the provision. 'This new amendment to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would end professional gambling in the U.S. and hurt casual gamblers, too,' poker player Phil Galfond wrote on X on Tuesday. 'You could pay more in tax than you won. Contact your representative quickly.' Others suggested the provision could push gamblers away from casinos and traditional sports books to online prediction markets such as Kalshi, which in practice often function like gambling but are regulated and taxed differently. Sports betting is legal in 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The gaming industry brought in a record high of nearly $72 billion last year, according to the American Gaming Association.
CNN
24 minutes ago
- CNN
Man describes escaping Airbnb during Texas flash flooding
Man describes escaping Airbnb during Texas flash flooding Ricky Gonzalez and a dozen friends were staying at an Airbnb when one of them were awoken by their dog pawing at the door. When they opened the curtain, one of their vehicles was already being swept away. 01:16 - Source: CNN See flood aftermath at Camp Mystic in Texas Authorities are still racing to find victims in central Texas, including 27 people from Camp Mystic, a girls summer camp in Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in less than two hours during torrential rains that triggered flash flooding in parts of the state. CNN's Ed Lavandera reports. 00:57 - Source: CNN Protests continue in Israel amid ceasefire negotiations As mediators push for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, protesters in Tel Aviv gathered in Hostages Square to demand a "complete deal" for the return of all hostages, along with a ceasefire. 00:48 - Source: CNN Father describes search for daughter in Texas Searching for his 21-year-old daughter and her friends, who have been missing since flash floods swelled through parts of Texas on Friday, Ty Badon tells CNN's Ed Lavandera that he's praying for their survival as he continues to scour the area they were last believed to be near. 01:56 - Source: CNN Trump signs 'Big Beautiful Bill' President Donald Trump signs a sweeping spending and tax legislation, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," at the White House. 00:38 - Source: CNN Trump uses antisemitic term at rally President Donald Trump used a term considered antisemitic at a rally on Thursday night while talking about his major domestic policy bill that was approved by Congress hours earlier. 00:49 - Source: CNN Blaze engulfs 4 homes in Los Angeles 130 firefighters responded to a blaze in Los Angeles engulfing four homes and injuring two. Firefighters reported "fireworks active" in the area. The cause of the fire is unknown. 00:30 - Source: CNN CNN goes aboard NYPD boat securing July 4 celebrations CNN goes aboard an NYPD patrol boat tasked with keeping New Yorkers safe during July 4th celebrations. 01:35 - Source: CNN Blaze engulfs 4 homes in Los Angeles 130 firefighters responded to a blaze in Los Angeles engulfing four homes and injuring two. Firefighters reported "fireworks active" in the area. The cause of the fire is unknown. 00:30 - Source: CNN How AI could help male infertility Researchers at Columbia University Fertility Center developed an AI-powered tool that can scan millions of images from a semen sample in under an hour to detect hidden sperm cells that traditional methods might miss. CNN's Jacqueline Howard explains how this could open new possibilities for families looking to have children. 01:41 - Source: CNN Four killed in Chicago shooting Four people were killed and 14 others were wounded in a drive-by shooting in Chicago, police said. At least one suspect opened fire from a dark-colored vehicle on a group standing outside a nightclub, according to CNN affiliate WBBM. 00:26 - Source: CNN Power poles collapse onto cars during dust storm in Las Vegas At least six cars were trapped when power poles fell during a dust storm in Las Vegas. No injuries were reported from the incident. 00:23 - Source: CNN Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail as he awaits sentencing Judge Subramanian denied bail for Sean 'Diddy' Combs after a hearing on Wednesday, pending sentencing on his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The judge said he denied bail when it wasn't mandatory before the trial and "sees no reason to reach the opposite conclusion now." 01:57 - Source: CNN Bryan Kohberger admits to Idaho student murders Bryan Kohberger answers State District Judge Steven Hippler as he asks Kohberger whether he committed the murders of four Idaho college students in their off-campus home in 2022. CNN's Jean Casarez shares details from inside the courtroom. 01:26 - Source: CNN New activity at Iranian nuclear site New satellite images show Iranian crews closing up craters at the Fordow nuclear enrichment plant, which was struck by US B-2 bombers nearly two weeks ago. CNN takes a closer look. 00:56 - Source: CNN Latino influencers stick by Trump Tony Delgado and Gabriela Berrospi, entrepreneurs and founders of multimedia brand Latino Wall Street, helped rally the Latino vote for President Donald Trump in 2024. As the administration has escalated ICE raids and deportations this year, they visited Washington D.C. and the White House to advocate for their community and immigration reform. 02:27 - Source: CNN Idaho residents line streets to honor slain firefighters Residents of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, lined the highway to honor two firefighters killed in an ambush while responding to a fire. The procession transporting the firefighters from Kootenai Health to Spokane, Washington, drew a large turnout from the community. 00:32 - Source: CNN Severe heatwave hits Europe Heatwaves have pushed temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) in countries across Europe, including Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy. Firefighters battled a wildfire near Athens late last week, and regions of Portugal were under high alert on Sunday. According to experts, the extreme weather is linked to climate change. 00:57 - Source: CNN Beyoncé's 'flying' car prop tilts midair A technical mishap led to Beyoncé's 'flying' car prop to tilt during a Cowboy Carter concert in Houston, with fans capturing the moment on video. The singer was quickly lowered down and without injury, according to Beyoncé's entertainment and management company. 00:57 - Source: CNN Video shows woman clinging to tree as immigration agents try to detain her A bystander captured on video the moment immigration agents in street clothes chased a woman across the street trying to detain her outside of a Home Depot where she had been selling food in West Los Angeles just moments prior. 02:07 - Source: CNN Key lines from UVA president's resignation letter University of Virginia president James Ryan announced his resignation amid pressure from the US Department of Justice to dismantle the university's diversity, equity and inclusion programs. CNN's Betsy Klein reports. 01:09 - Source: CNN Minnesota lawmaker and husband lie in state at State Capitol Mourners and lawmakers gather to pay tribute to former Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, who were killed in a targeted attack. The couple is joined by the family's golden retriever, Gilbert, who also died after being shot during the attacks. 00:41 - Source: CNN Trump reacts to win at the Supreme Court President Trump thanked conservative Supreme Court justices and explained what he plans to do next after the Court backed his effort to curtail lower court orders that have hampered his agenda for months. 00:46 - Source: CNN
