What We're Watching
Union bosses blast Trump
Sean O’Brien, President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters speaks during the first day of the Republican National Convention.
August 14, 2024
Sean O’Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, one of America’s largest trade unions, is furious with Donald Trump. During the GOP nominee’s Monday X-space interview with Elon Musk, Trump praised Musk’s willingness to fire workers who threaten to strike. “You’re the greatest cutter,” Trumptold Musk. “You walk in and say, ‘You want to quit?’ … That’s OK. You’re all gone.'”
On Tuesday, O’Brien responded: “Firing workers for organizing, striking, and exercising their rights as Americans iseconomic terrorism.” The United Auto Workers union, meanwhile, wants a federal labor rights investigation of the comments by Musk and Trump.
In years past, a union boss blasting a GOP presidential candidate wouldn’t surprise anyone. But this is the same Sean O’Brien that Trump warmly welcomed to July’s Republican National Convention, where the union boss accused business leaders of “waging a war against American workers.”
Trump’s pro-manufacturing, anti-immigration messaging has resonated with rank-and-file union voters since 2016, even if union bosses still lean Democrat. All the largest American labor unions have endorsed Kamala Harris, except O’Brien’s Teamsters, which hasn’t endorsed anyone. Will Trump’s loose talk with a fellow one-percenter hurt him on the factory floor?More For You
US-Iran ceasefire in doubt, Venezuelans adjust to a new normal, EU blocks funding for Chinese solar tech
May 08, 2026
Burst of violence tests Iran ceasefire, Burst of violence tests Iran ceasefire, EU blocks Chinese solar tech
Most Popular
Think you know what's going on around the world? Here's your chance to prove it.
More than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered in good old H2O, so it would seem there’s plenty to go around. But the vast majority, at least 97%, is contained in the oceans as saltwater. The growing scarcity of freshwater for drinking, cooking, industrial, and agricultural uses is quickly moving water up as a global risk. In fact, our parent company, Eurasia Group, added it to its Top Risks list for 2026 as “The water weapon.”
Robotaxis, autonomous trucks, and drone networks are moving closer to reality. As costs fall and infrastructure grows, physical AI is unlocking new markets and business models. See what's driving the next era of mobility by subscribing to Bank of America Institute.
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.