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Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Daily Skimm: If you’re a bird, I’m a bird
Skimm'd with answers to common health insurance questions
Yup. After weeks of twittling its thumbs, the company said it's accepting Musk's one and only offer. It came after the Tesla CEO bought a 9% stake in Twitter earlier this month, flirted with taking a board seat, then said he would buy the whole company for $54.20 a share, final offer. Yesterday, after trying to push Musk away, the company said 'ok' to the $44 billion deal — the biggest of its kind in decades. Twitter called it "the best path forward" for stockholders.
Why is this happening again?
Free speech. Musk has long criticized the social media platform over it. Now, the world's wealthiest person gets to put changes where his money is. Musk says he hopes even his "worst critics" stay on Twitter, because "that is what free speech means." He also wants to bring transparency to the algorithm and take on spam bots, among other changes.
And what's the reaction?
There's a range. Republican lawmakers say free speech is making a comeback. Dems are looking at the bill and reiterating calls to tax the rich. But investors seem excited: the company's stock went up more than 5%. As for Twitter's future, employees are worried this could mean layoffs or staffing changes. But Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal says that won't happen...at least not before the deal closes.
So what happens next?
Regulators will need to approve it. But despite Musk's tense history with them, the agreement is expected to close later this year. After that, Agrawal may want to tweet out his résumé.
theSkimm
Twitter has been struggling with growth. But it still has about 217 million daily users, including politicians and celebrities. Now, a billionaire known for car and space companies and for trolling people gets to shape discourse on one of the world's most popular social media platforms. This should be #interesting.
PS: Tweets can move markets. Read up on what that means for investing here.
And Also...This
Who people are talking about…
Melissa Lucio. Yesterday, Texas's highest criminal court delayed her execution just two days before she was set to die. In 2008, a jury sentenced Lucio to death for the 2007 murder of her two-year-old daughter. Since then, five members of that jury have said 'maybe we were wrong.' That's because, despite indications of physical abuse, new evidence suggests the toddler's death was the result of a fall — and not murder. If executed, she'd be the first Hispanic woman to be put to death in Texas. Celebrities, lawmakers, and Lucio's children have called for leniency in her case. Now, it's being sent back to the trial court. Lucio says she's grateful for the "chance to live" and prove her "innocence."
…Oh and speaking of second chances, the Supreme Court is willing to give Rodney Reed's case a closer look.
PS: Want more on Lucio's case and how we got here? We got you covered.
Who's being held in contempt…
Former President Donald Trump. Yesterday, a New York judge held Trump in contempt for failing to turn over documents to the state's attorney general. ICYMI, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) has been investigating Trump's financial dealings for years — like whether the Trump Org inflated assets when applying for loans and mortgages. And deflated them when it came time to pay taxes. He called the investigation a politically motivated "witch hunt." Now a judge is siding with James, saying that until Trump turns over the documents — which he claims to have done — he has to cough up $10,000 every day. James praised the judge's decision. Trump plans to appeal.
What's saying 'would you like to form an alliance'…
Sweden and Finland. Yesterday, it came out that the traditionally neutral countries reportedly plan to apply to join NATO. Sweden and Finland (which shares a border with Russia) have refused to join the US-led alliance for decades. But after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both countries said Russia's war left them wanting the kind of protection NATO could provide. (Think: guaranteed backup from 30 countries, security, and training). The Swedes and Finns broke their promise to stay neutral when they sent weapons to Ukraine — a first since WWII. Now, they could be on their way to making things official, but they'll need unanimous approval from all members. TBD how Russian President Vladimir Putin will react. He did cite the threat of NATO expansion in Ukraine as a pretext for his war. And now one of Russia's neighbors may do exactly what the Kremlin feared from Ukraine.
Four score and 28 years ago (aka in 1914), Mother's Day became an official US holiday. Legend has it we can thank social activist Anna Jarvis for that. She lobbied hard as a way to honor her own mother. And since Jarvis's mom was a big carnation fan, it became the traditional Mother's Day flower.
If you're planning to celebrate a mom, mother figure, sister, and/or friend this year, check out Walmart+. So you can get their fave flowers, chocolates, cards, fresh groceries for a special dinner, and anything else you might need delivered fast. And free.† Psst…Skimm'rs can try Walmart+ free for 30 days. Go on.
If you haven't checked the cal lately, a reminder that you've got T minus two weeks to shop, order, and wrap your gifts for Mom. To help ya out, here are some of our faves…
Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…
An inside look at the trends you won't see on the runway. We're talking planet-positive innovations that can push the fashion industry toward a more sustainable future. We teamed up with the H&M Foundation to break 'em down. Check it out.*
Eye makeup you've probably seen all over your IG feed. And with good reason (hiiii, 20K five-star reviews). This nourishing mascara not only gives you that salon-extensions look, sans salon price tag. It also strengthens your lashes over time. Oh, and Skimm'rs get 15% off.*
All the essentials for a night spent indoors. Because sometimes all you need is an evening spent streaming. We've got a collapsible popcorn maker, the coziest leggings to lounge in, and a massager that'll loosen those shoulders.
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Natural beauty…Dana J (CA).After a life-changing autoimmune diagnosis, she knew what she put in (and on) her body mattered more than ever. So she created toxin-free skincare made with organic, natural ingredients. PS: She's giving Skimm'rs 15% off with code SKIMM15.*
(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's Sonal Patel (NY), Kristen Robinson (WI), Ali Rhodes (MA), Kim Thomas (RI), Nadine Shurland (VA), Katie Steketee (NY), Jill Burya (NY), Lacey Kiriakou (CA), James Shobear (VA), Justin M. Bibb (OH), Marci Levine (KY), Tresa Sanders (GA), Casey Fritz (CO), Laura Bauman (IA), Carrie O'Donovan (PA)
Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
*PS This is a sponsored post.
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