DOGE Department Aims to Cut Waste

CRYPTO
DOGE Department Aims to Cut Waste

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This initiative aims to streamline government operations and spending, adding a twist of humor with the acronym “DOGE,” which has thrilled Dogecoin enthusiasts and triggered a substantial price surge for the meme-inspired cryptocurrency.

In a post on X, Musk promised full transparency, stating that all DOGE department activities would be shared publicly. He also mentioned plans to create a “leaderboard” ranking the most inefficient government expenditures, encouraging public input to highlight unnecessary spending.

The announcement has energized Dogecoin traders, who see the DOGE name as a symbol of Dogecoin’s rising cultural and economic relevance. Over the past week, Dogecoin has surged more than 100%, as traders set an ambitious $1 target price for the token, which has already climbed 250% in the past 30 days.

According to Trump, Musk and Ramaswamy will focus on driving structural reforms with an entrepreneurial mindset, working on this project until July 4, 2026. This initiative is part of Trump’s broader “save America” movement, aimed at reducing bureaucracy and wasteful spending.
Source

TECH
Netflix Ad Plan Outpaces Rivals

In just two years, Netflix’s ad-supported tier has attracted 70 million users, surpassing the total subscriber counts for Hulu, Peacock, and Apple TV+. Although Netflix was slow to adopt an ad-supported model, it has quickly become a major force in the market.

The company announced on Tuesday that over 50% of new sign-ups now choose the ad-supported plan. Launched in November 2022 to combat slowing subscriber growth, this tier has proven highly successful, with Netflix reporting “positive momentum and growth across all areas of the business.”

Advertisers are eager to reach this audience. Netflix confirmed that all ad slots for its two live NFL Christmas Day games have sold out, and upcoming hits like Squid Game 2 have drawn new partnerships. Looking ahead, the company will begin airing WWE’s Raw in 2025, one of cable’s highest-rated shows, likely boosting ad engagement further.
Source

VENTURE CAPITAL
Trump Jr. Joins Conservative VC Firm

Donald Trump Jr. is stepping into venture capital by joining 1789 Capital, a firm catering to conservative-focused investments. Known for targeting right-leaning products and services, 1789 Capital's notable projects include a $15 million investment in Last Country, the startup co-founded by Tucker Carlson and Neil Patel. Trump Jr. announced his new role as a partner on Sunday, addressing a gathering of donors.

Founded by Malik, also of Farvahar Partners, 1789 Capital brands itself as an “anti-woke” investment firm. Despite a modest $150 million fund, Trump Jr.’s partnership could enhance its appeal to conservative companies and potentially draw fresh investor interest.

While he will continue in the Trump Organization and stay connected as an informal advisor to his father’s administration, Trump Jr.’s role at 1789 means he won’t take on an official government position. Additionally, he's involved in World Liberty Financial, a recently launched Trump-backed crypto venture.
Source

FINANCE
Chipotle’s New CEO Takes Charge

Scott Boatwright, Chipotle’s new CEO, steps up to the plate with a pay package notably lower than his predecessor Brian Niccol, who departed to lead Starbucks. Boatwright, previously Chipotle’s chief operating officer, officially took on the CEO role after serving as interim CEO since August. His compensation package, while substantial, includes an $8 million equity grant, a $1 million base salary, and a potential $1.2 million cash bonus, potentially topping $11 million if Chipotle’s stock performance holds. In comparison, Niccol earned $22.5 million in 2023.

The board expressed strong support for Boatwright, crediting his leadership and commitment to Chipotle’s growth. To ensure stability, Chipotle has also provided retention packages for other executives, including CFO Jack Hartung and brand officer Chris Brandt. This approach aligns with the trend of promoting COOs to CEO roles in major companies, highlighting the growing value of continuity in leadership for sustainable growth.
Source

Meme of the day

Word of the day
Labile

Someone or something described as labile is readily open to change. Labile can also be used as a synonym of unstable to describe things that are readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or breakdown.

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.