- The Cynic
- Posts
- The Cynic: September 4
The Cynic: September 4
The Cynic
September 04, 2025
In partnership with
BUSINESS
This Week’s Business News
Trump takes his tariff powers all the way to the Supreme Court—because why not go full constitutional.
Business Insider | Amazon CEO Andy Jassy
Trump’s legal team is challenging a lower court ruling that limited his ability to impose national-security-based tariffs, asking the Supreme Court to step in. Because if you’re gonna fight over aluminum, you might as well bring the Constitution.
The original case stems from steel tariffs imposed on Turkey during his presidency, which lower courts said went too far. Trump says he was protecting national security. Turkey said, “what did we do?”
If SCOTUS takes it up, it could redefine how much power the White House has over global trade—or just result in another 5–4 decision that makes both sides angry.
American Eagle just went viral thanks to Sydney Sweeney—and now Gen Z wants jeans again.
REUTERS | Jeenah Moon
After the actress appeared in a campaign showing off some serious denim nostalgia, American Eagle saw a spike in traffic, brand mentions, and most importantly: people under 30 shopping for pants again.
The ad racked up over 5 million views in two days, and even managed to trend on TikTok without involving a dance, a dog, or a breakup.
For a mall brand founded in 1977, this is the fashion version of a midlife crisis that actually worked.
Malaysia wants TikTok to verify your age—because apparently 11-year-olds don’t need crypto gambling advice.
REUTERS | Hemanshi Kamani
The Malaysian government is urging TikTok to implement stricter age verification to protect minors from inappropriate content, misinformation, and whatever “AI girlfriend” trend is going viral this week.
Officials met with TikTok execs to express concern about predatory ads and algorithm-driven doomscrolling aimed at kids who can barely tie their shoes. TikTok says it's “working on it,” which usually means “call us in 2026.”
It's part of a broader global trend where countries are realizing maybe, just maybe, the app controlling everyone’s attention should ask for ID.
REAL ESTATE
This Week’s Real Estate News
Norway’s oil fund just dropped $543 million on Manhattan office towers—because someone has to believe.
AFP | Getty Images
The world's largest sovereign wealth fund invested half a billion dollars in Hudson Yards and 375 Hudson Street, which feels bold considering “Manhattan office” is still code for “ghost town with yoga balls.”
The fund, which manages Norway’s oil riches, says it’s betting on “long-term fundamentals” and “prime locations”—which is Nordic for “pray we get tenants before 2030.”
The deals include a 47.5% stake alongside U.S. firm Vornado. So if you're wondering who still has conviction in commercial real estate, it's literally a country that runs on oil and optimism.
Trump accuses Fed Governor Lisa Cook of past mortgage fraud—without offering evidence.
Courtesy of Zuri Gardens
At a recent event, Trump said Cook “should have never been allowed on the Fed” and alleged she was involved in mortgage fraud “many years ago,” though no formal accusations or evidence were presented.
The White House called the claims “completely false,” and no regulatory filings or investigations support the accusation. Cook hasn’t commented, probably because she’s too busy navigating monetary policy and character assassination in the same week.
It’s the latest escalation in Trump’s broader critique of the Fed, which he says is “killing the economy.” Critics say he’s laying the groundwork to overhaul the central bank. Supporters say he's just calling it like he sees it.
The White House is mad at Norway’s wealth fund—for ditching Caterpillar over human rights.
REUTERS | Sarah Meyssonnier
Norway’s $1.7 trillion sovereign fund recently excluded Caterpillar from its portfolio, citing “unacceptable risk” tied to its equipment being used in alleged human rights violations abroad.
The White House pushed back, saying the decision politicizes capital markets and undermines U.S. companies. Translation: “Please stop making our bulldozers controversial.”
Norway didn’t respond directly, but based on their last 300 years of diplomacy, they probably shrugged quietly and went cross-country skiing.
“Reading The Cynic is like being handed a lit firework—painful, reckless… yet impossible to ignore.”
FUN
Riddle Me This
I bloom when optimism’s fed,
I wither when interest climbs.
You’re seduced by my listing—
Then vanished by your mutter’s hum.
What am I?
Reply to this email with the answer for a chance to win a surprise
ADVICE
This Week’s Business Advice
“Budgets aren’t optimism—they’re pen-written confessions of how much we’re lying to ourselves.”
Want your advice to be featured on next week’s edition of The Cynic?
Reply to this email with your business advice
SPONSORSHIP
This Week’s Partner
Keep This Stock Ticker on Your Watchlist
They’re a private company, but Pacaso just reserved the Nasdaq ticker “$PCSO.”
No surprise the same firms that backed Uber, eBay, and Venmo already invested in Pacaso. What is unique is Pacaso is giving the same opportunity to everyday investors. And 10,000+ people have already joined them.
Created a former Zillow exec who sold his first venture for $120M, Pacaso brings co-ownership to the $1.3T vacation home industry.
They’ve generated $1B+ worth of luxury home transactions across 2,000+ owners. That’s good for more than $110M in gross profit since inception, including 41% YoY growth last year alone.
And you can join them today for just $2.90/share. But don’t wait too long. Invest in Pacaso before the opportunity ends September 18.
Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.
