Hearts Don't Break Around Here

Friday, March 28th, 2025

The United States — Is Elon Musk Remaking or Breaking the Government

The Economists

Elon Musk's tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump has been marked by significant upheaval, raising questions about whether he is reforming or dismantling the federal government. While Musk has a track record of transforming industries like space exploration and electric vehicles, his approach to government has been polarizing. DOGE has aggressively targeted federal agencies, firing inspectors general, dismantling programs, and sidelining career officials, often bypassing congressional authority. Critics argue that these actions prioritize expanding executive power and purging ideological opponents over genuine efficiency gains. Although Musk’s defenders liken his disruptive methods to those of transformative leaders like Reagan or Thatcher, the results so far have skewed toward chaos rather than constructive reform. With limited savings achieved and numerous lawsuits underway, the likeliest outcome appears to be a weakened civil service, diminished congressional authority, and an emboldened executive branch—potentially leaving the government less effective and more polarized.

Tech — Applovin Under Pressure From Short-sellers

The Street

AppLovin Corp. shares plummeted by a record 20% on Thursday after short-selling firm Muddy Waters issued a critical report, marking the third such report against the company in about a month. Muddy Waters alleged that AppLovin is misappropriating data and violating platform terms of service, echoing concerns raised by previous short-sellers Fuzzy Panda and Culper Research. The company, which provides marketing services to app developers, has seen its stock decline by 19% year-to-date, a stark contrast to its over 700% gain in 2024 driven by AI enthusiasm. AppLovin's CEO Adam Foroughi previously dismissed earlier short-seller claims as "inaccuracies and false assertions," defending the company's AI models and advertising practices. Despite the recent tumble and multiple short reports, Wall Street analysts remain largely bullish on AppLovin, with 21 buy ratings, six holds, and only one sell recommendation.

Trade — Trump Tariff Hurts German Automakers

Bloomberg

President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on imported automobiles, set to take effect on April 3, 2025, is poised to significantly impact European luxury automakers, with Porsche AG and Mercedes-Benz Group AG facing the most substantial hit. These German manufacturers could see a potential €3.4 billion ($3.7 billion) blow to their earnings, potentially wiping out around a quarter of their projected 2026 operating profits. In response to the tariffs, Ferrari NV has already announced plans to raise prices by up to 10% on some of its models in the U.S. market, while absorbing the costs for others. The tariffs threaten to disrupt the European auto industry's reliance on exports to the lucrative U.S. market, particularly affecting high-margin combustion-engine models like Porsche's 911 and Mercedes' S-Class. As a result, manufacturers may need to consider raising prices further or shifting more production to the U.S. to mitigate the impact of these new trade measures.

Running — Is the “Time on Feet’ Training Right for You?

Canadian Running

Time on Feet (ToF) training, which prioritizes the duration of a run over specific distances, can be beneficial for various types of runners. This approach is particularly valuable for competitive runners seeking to avoid the pressure of maintaining specific paces, allowing them to focus on consistent effort levels and better pacing control. For novice runners, ToF training offers a gradual way to build endurance and reduce injury risk associated with pushing distances too quickly. Ultrarunners can significantly benefit from ToF training, as it prepares them for prolonged periods on their feet during grueling events. While track athletes primarily focus on precise distance training, they can still incorporate ToF for base runs. ToF training is easy to implement by converting distances to time and can be especially useful when controlling pace, preparing for long races, or returning from injury. However, it's important to note that race-specific workouts and distance-focused training should not be entirely neglected, particularly when preparing for races with set distances.

Food — Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter

This sirloin steak recipe is paired with an intensely garlicky butter, making it incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I've never experienced a steak that rivals the flavor and quality of this recipe.

Allrecipes

Song — Hearts Don’t Break Around Here (Ed Sheeran)

Quote of the Day 

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” —Coco Chanel