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☆ Netflix vs. Disney? Analysts have a favorite, and give it nearly 30% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

There's plenty of competition in streaming services, but Netflix and Disney are undoubtedly two of the biggest names — and both are facing a number of headwinds. However, analysts' average potential upside tells a different story: Disney gets average potential upside of 26%, according to FactSet data, while Netflix's comes in at just 3.8%. The case for Netflix For Bank of America, Netflix is a "world class brand" with a "leading global subscriber base." "I think Netflix is certainly going to have a lot of leverage on revenue growth and cost discipline. With the kind of blended businesses and the opportunities for improvement, I think Disney is a little bit better in my favor," he said.

☆ DeSantis wins with Disney co-dependency
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, April 4 (Reuters Breakingviews) - For Walt Disney (DIS.N) Chief Executive Bob Iger, action speaks louder than words. During the Magic Kingdom’s annual shareholder meeting on Monday, Iger took a shot at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, calling him “anti-business” for his retaliation involving Disney World. DeSantis, for those keeping score, signed a law in February that gives Florida control of Disney’s theme park district, stripping some of its autonomy. The irony is that Iger plans to shower Florida with $17 billion over the next 10 years, he said at the meeting. Iger’s decision to plow more money into Florida only tethers him more to DeSantis’ whims.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social profile shortly after arriving in New York from Florida on Monday, urging supporters to donate to his campaign. The arraignment, where Trump will be in court to hear charges and have a chance to enter a plea, was planned for 2:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) on Tuesday. Citing a single source briefed on Tuesday's arraignment procedures, Yahoo said none of the charges against Trump were misdemeanors. PROTESTS AND POPULARITYPolice over the weekend began erecting barricades near Trump Tower - where Trump arrived on Monday after flying in from Florida - and the Manhattan Criminal Court building, with demonstrations expected at both sites on Tuesday. On the Manhattan case, Trump in 2018 initially disputed knowing anything about the payment to Daniels.

☆ Trump widens lead in 2024 Republican presidential primary
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Richard Cowan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 3 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump has widened his lead over his rivals in the 2024 Republican presidential nominating contest, even as he faces criminal charges in New York, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. Some 48% of self-described Republicans say they want Trump to be their party's presidential nominee, up from 44% in a March 14-20 poll. Trump has stepped up his attacks on DeSantis, who has not formally announced his candidacy but is expected to run. Some 71% of Americans, including 58% of Republicans, say it is believable that Trump paid porn star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election. At the same time, 51% of poll respondents, including 80% of Republicans, said they believed the charges are politically motivated.

☆ Trump indictment pulls DeSantis-leaning Republicans back to MAGA fold
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Tim Reid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"Now I am absolutely voting for Trump," said White, 75, a composer and musician in Nevada. "The indictment was the last straw for me, because Trump has suffered so much political abuse. The reason was the indictment, Longwell added. Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesman, said in an email to Reuters that the charges had "surged" support for Trump. "Americans from all backgrounds are sick and tired of the weaponization of the justice system against President Trump and his supporters," Cheung said.

☆ DeSantis gets support from some on Wall Street, but Trump looms large in their concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Ron DeSantis, according to people familiar with the conversations. "I think most people favor DeSantis over Trump but it's unclear that [DeSantis] can win," a Wall Street donor strategist told CNBC. Peterffy has even donated more than $360,000 to a pro-DeSantis political action committee called Friends of Ron DeSantis. DiLella has donated at least $80,000 to the Friends of Ron DeSantis PAC, according to state records. Gerson donated $3,000 to DeSantis' 2018 campaign for governor and just over $100,000 to the Friends of Ron DeSantis PAC between 2018 and 2022, according to state records.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during an event on his nationwide book tour at Adventure Outdoors, the largest gun store in the country, on March 30, 2023 in Smyrna, Georgia. Disney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about DeSantis' desire for a probe. The agreement was signed on Feb. 8, the day before the Florida House voted to put DeSantis in charge. The Florida governor took aim at Disney after the company publicly balked at Florida's HB 1557 law early last year. HB 1557, dubbed by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, limits early education teachings on sexual orientation or gender identity.

New York CNN —Disney CEO Bob Iger fought back against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ actions against his company, telling Disney shareholders that recent actions by the state were “anti-business.”The state of Florida has taken action to strip Disney of some of the powers it had over the land that includes and surrounds Disney World. Iger, asked about the fight at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting, made his most public defense to date of the company’s actions, and the most direct criticism of Florida’s actions. It did so through a self-governing body known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, whose board members all had close ties with Disney. “Disney is again fighting to keep its special corporate benefits and dodge Florida law,” DeSantis spokesman Jeremy Redfern said. As Governor DeSantis recently said, ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet.’”Redfern’s comments came before Iger made his comments at the shareholders’ meeting.

☆ Asa Hutchinson to run for president, urges Trump to drop out
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Doina Chiacu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I have made a decision, and my decision is I'm going to run for president of the United States," Hutchinson said. Trump remains popular among many Republicans despite becoming the first former U.S. president to be indicted on criminal charges. "I think it's a sad day for America that we have a former president that's indicted," Hutchinson said. Asked whether Trump should step aside, Hutchinson said, "Well, he should, but at the same time, we know he's not." Hutchinson was a former head of the Drug Enforcement Administration and a Homeland Security official under President George W. Bush.

☆ Republican Hutchinson to run for US president in 2024, urges Trump to go
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( Doina Chiacu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 2 (Reuters) - Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced his 2024 U.S. presidential candidacy on Sunday with a proclamation that set him apart from other current or potential Republican candidates: former President Donald Trump should step aside from the race. "I have made a decision, and my decision is I'm going to run for president of the United States," Hutchinson said. "I think it's a sad day for America that we have a former president that's indicted," Hutchinson said. Asked whether Trump should step aside, Hutchinson said, "Well, he should, but at the same time, we know he's not." Former Vice President Mike Pence and current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are considered as possible candidates.

'LET THE PROCESS PROCEED'Shortly after the news of his indictment broke, Trump appealed to supporters to provide money for a legal defense. As news of Trump's indictment flashed across a news ticker on a Times Square skyscraper on Thursday evening, New York City resident Elizabeth Blaise welcomed the news. Trump lawyer Susan Necheles confirmed the Tuesday surrender date and said she did not expect charges to be unsealed until that day. "Do you really think that they're going to take President Trump out of the running for president because of some old horse-face story? The Manhattan District Attorney's office successfully prosecuted Trump's business on tax-fraud charges last year, leading to a $1.61 million criminal penalty.

The specific charges against Trump are not yet known as the indictment remains under seal, but CNN on Thursday reported Trump faced more than 30 counts related to business fraud. "This is Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history," Trump said in a statement. Shortly after, Trump appealed to supporters to provide money for a legal defense. The Manhattan charges will likely be unsealed by a judge in the coming days and Trump will have to travel there for fingerprinting and other processing at that point. Trump could use the case to stoke anger among his core supporters, though other Republican voters might tire of the drama.

[1/3] Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends his first campaign rally after announcing his candidacy for president in the 2024 election at an event in Waco, Texas, U.S., March 25, 2023. Trump has denied Daniels's claim, and his lawyer has accused Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, of extortion. To elevate that charge to a felony, prosecutors must prove that Trump falsified records to cover up a second crime. The New York Times and NBC News reported that Trump is expected to surrender next week, citing his lawyers. If Trump for some reason decided not to come in voluntarily, prosecutors could seek to have him extradited from Florida.

"They've done nothing but harass this guy," said Gregg Hough, chair of the Republican party in Belknap County, New Hampshire, predicting the prosecution will boost Trump support "to the moon" if it fails to deliver a convincing conviction. In a statement on Thursday, Trump called the indictment "Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history," without providing evidence. John Feehery, a Republican strategist, described the Manhattan case as "silly" compared to the other probes hanging over Trump's campaign. At a campaign rally in Waco, Texas on Saturday, Trump likened the criminal investigations against him to a "Stalinist Russia horror show." Trump remains the front-runner in the 2024 Republican field, with the support of 44% of Republicans in a March Reuters/Ipsos, ahead of DeSantis' 30% support.

☆ Breakingviews: Trump charges could leave important fish unfried
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Lauren Silva Laughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Money markets and currencies were unmoved on Friday morning after a grand jury’s decision to press criminal charges was announced on Thursday night. While pressing charges against a former leader can amount to a dangerous political tool if used frivolously, it also shows that future American leaders are not immune to criminal charges, creating an extra incentive for them to behave. But moments of high political drama make politicians run to their corners of the boxing ring. Follow @thereallsl on TwitterCONTEXT NEWSFormer U.S. President Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on March 30 and is expected to face criminal charges next week. The poll found 46% of Republican and Republican-leaning voters support Trump, while 32% support Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

"Please make a contribution – of truly any amount – to defend our movement from the never-ending witch hunts and WIN the WHITE HOUSE in 2024," said an email sent by a Trump fundraising group called the Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee. A Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump after a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump, who has denied making any payment, has claimed the charges are evidence of a left-wing plot - an argument made in the fundraising email to supporters on Thursday. Trump's online fundraising has shown signs of weakening over the last year, according to financial disclosures made to the Federal Election Commission. At the end of 2022, Trump and an allied super PAC reported having close to $80 million across several fundraising accounts.

☆ Senior Republicans rally behind Trump after criminal indictment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Tim Reid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Kevin McCarthy, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, said the indictment "weaponized our sacred system of justice" against Trump. Elise Stefanik, another member of the Republican House leadership, called the indictment a "political witch hunt and a dark day for America". Trump called the indictment a "political persecution." Ted Lieu, a House Democrat, called the indictment a "horrible precedent" but necessary if Trump committed crimes. Jamaal Bowman, a fellow House Democrat, said: "It's time we ensure Trump is banned from running for any public office again."

Trump previously said he would continue campaigning for the Republican Party's nomination if charged with a crime. Shortly after, Trump appealed to supporters to provide money for a legal defense. Trump will have to travel to Manhattan for fingerprinting and other processing at that point. The Manhattan investigation is one of several legal challenges facing Trump, and the charges could hurt his presidential comeback attempt. No former or sitting U.S. president has ever faced criminal charges.

DeSantis' muddled messaging on Ukraine and the multiple legal investigations into Trump mean that this year’s primary race “is a vast sea of uncertainty,” said Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist and former DeSantis pollster. Metals magnate and donor Andy Sabin backed Trump in 2016 and 2020 but is now planning to spend money in the Republican primary on “anybody but Trump." Enthusiastic crowds of Trump supporters were mostly quiet when he mocked DeSantis at two recent rallies. For now, despite the volatility, Trump and DeSantis remain the two leading contenders, said David Tamasi, a Republican donor and lobbyist. "You have two candidates getting 75-80% of the vote," said Tamasi, who previously backed Trump but is not this time.

☆ DeSantis to travel to Israel ahead of likely 2024 White House bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The trip, which is being billed by DeSantis’ office as a trade mission, follows a longstanding tradition for Republicans seeking the White House but comes at a particularly volatile moment. “At a time of unnecessarily strained relations between Jerusalem and Washington, Florida serves as a bridge between the American and Israeli people,” DeSantis said in the release. As Florida's governor, DeSantis has vowed to be a staunch ally of Israel and led a trade delegation there in 2019. The White House said it had no comment on DeSantis’ plans, while maintaining administration officials have been regularly in touch with the Israeli government during the crisis. DeSantis is widely expected to enter the 2024 race once the Florida Legislature concludes its current session in early May.

☆ Trump compares investigations into him to 'Stalinist Russia'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Nathan Layne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Trump told supporters gathered at Waco’s airport on Saturday that the investigations swirling around him were “something straight out of the Stalinist Russia horror show.”“From the beginning it’s been one witch hunt and phony investigation after another,” he said. “I’m not a big fan,” Trump said of DeSantis, accusing of him of plotting to slash social security. Several times Trump repeated the false claim that his election loss in 2020 was due to a systemic fraud orchestrated by the Democrats. He described some American officials and senior U.S. politicians - including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell - as a bigger threat to America than China or Russia. “Either the Deep State destroys America or we destroy the Deep State,” Trump said.

☆ Trump loyalists decry 'witch hunt' at Waco election rally
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Nathan Layne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

WACO, Texas (Reuters) -Die-hard fans of Donald Trump flocked to the ex-president’s election rally in Waco, Texas, on Saturday, brimming with defiance as their favored candidate faces legal peril from prosecutors and mixed polling ahead of next year’s Republican primary elections. People cheer ahead of the first campaign rally for the re-election campaign of former U.S. President Donald Trump at Waco Regional Airport in Waco, Texas, U.S., March 25, 2023. “You have to understand: they are not just coming after President Trump, they are coming after you, and President Trump is just the only one standing in their way,” she said. The former president is seeking to turn the hush money case in New York to his advantage by raising money off it and using it to rally supporters. Schomburg said he thought Trump was trying to send a message by holding the rally in Waco.

☆ Fact Check-Donald Trump statement calling Ron DeSantis a ‘RINO’ is fabricated
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A fabricated statement attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump, in which he purportedly threatens Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and calls him a “Republican in name only”, or RINO, stems from a satirical account. Reuters has previously addressed statements falsely attributed to Trump amid rumors of an imminent indictment or arrest (here), (here). I don't report the facts, I improve them.” Reuters has previously debunked satirical claims that stemmed from this account (here), (here). Another indication the statement is fabricated is that the logo at the top of the page replaces “President Donald J. Trump” with “President Doofy J. Trump.”Although some users identified the fabricated statement as satire, other were duped into thinking it is legitimate (tinyurl.com/89nsy4ub), (tinyurl.com/bdeepfux). A statement attributed to Trump threatening DeSantis and calling him a ‘RINO’ is fabricated.

The hiring of a major national campaign figure represents a key step by DeSantis's allies to prepare for a formal launch of his 2024 campaign. In recent weeks, DeSantis has toured states including Iowa and Nevada, which are key stops in the Republican nominating contest. Advisers have also begun identifying potential operatives in those states and have begun collecting resumes for a national campaign staff, sources close to the governor said. Roe is a close advisor to Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is also seen as a potential contender for the Republican nomination. Representatives for Never Back Down, Roe and Youngkin did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Some 65% of respondents - including 46% of Republicans and 68% of independents - said they were less likely to vote for a presidential candidate in 2024 who supports laws banning or severely restricting abortion access. DeSantis last year signed a Florida law banning abortions after 15 weeks, saying the measure would protect "the rights of unborn children." The online Reuters/Ipsos poll had a credibility interval of between around two and four percentage points. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found 61% of respondents nationwide, including 66% of independents, prefer a candidate who opposes allowing medical treatment for minors related to gender identity. Reuters GraphicsThe Reuters/Ipsos poll found that nationwide, women were more likely than men to oppose severe abortion restrictions and permitless concealed guns.

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