Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1789, George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, was unanimously elected the first president of the United States by all 69 presidential electors present.

Today’s Wisdom Wednesday highlights eight phrases that couples who are truly close use, from “She’s quirky like that” to “I know this is really important to him.”

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, explains why many retirees are turning to physical gold for protection against rising inflation, market volatility, and the growing risk of stagflation.

House Ends Government Shutdown

The House voted 217 to 214 Tuesday to end a four-day partial government shutdown, approving funding legislation that was signed later that day by President Trump.

The package funds major government agencies through September while extending Department of Homeland Security funding only through Feb. 13, setting up another deadline.

Twenty-one Republicans and 21 Democrats crossed party lines, with some Democrat leaders voting against the measure despite rank-and-file support.

The short-term DHS extension gives lawmakers 10 days to negotiate reforms to immigration enforcement operations.

SpaceX Sets Record with $1.25 Trillion Merger

Elon Musk’s SpaceX acquired his AI startup xAI in a $1.25 trillion deal, creating the largest merger in history as the combined company prepares for a blockbuster IPO later this year.

The transaction values SpaceX at $1 trillion and xAI at $250 billion, bringing together rocket manufacturing and artificial intelligence capabilities under one roof.

Musk announced the merger will focus on building “orbital data centers” powered by solar energy to meet AI computing demands that may soon exceed Earth’s available electricity and cooling capacity.

The combined company could face regulatory scrutiny over SpaceX’s billions in federal contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. The deal comes as SpaceX, already the world’s most valuable private company at $800 billion, eyes a potential IPO that could value it above $1.5 trillion.

Super Bowl Ads Ready to Star

Super Bowl LX advertisers are paying up to $10 million for a 30-second commercial spot, marking the highest price in the game’s history as over 130 million viewers prepare to watch the Patriots face the Seahawks this Sunday.

Major brands from Budweiser to Pepsi have already released their commercials online, with celebrity-packed spots featuring Ben Affleck, Sabrina Carpenter, and Serena Williams dominating the pre-game buzz. See all the released ads here.

Vodka brand Svedka is making history with the first nearly fully AI-generated Super Bowl commercial, sparking debate after previous AI ads were labeled “dystopian nightmares.” See it here.

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Jill Biden’s ex-husband was charged with murder after his wife was found dead in Delaware. (Hear Story)

➤ Nearly 900 hidden Nazi-linked bank accounts surface after an investigation into a Swiss bank. (Hear Details)

➤ The Minions are causing Olympic chaos in Milan before the Games have even begun. (Listen Now)

➤ The House Oversight Committee set a Feb. 26 deposition date for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a Feb. 27 date for former President Bill Clinton after both agreed to testify about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (More)

➤ President Trump hosted Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House on Tuesday in the first meeting between the two leaders after months of intermittent tension. (More)

➤ Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., on Tuesday rejected President Trump’s call for Republicans in Washington to nationalize voting in the United States and take over the management of elections in 15 states. (More)

➤ The White House says it’s now seeking $1 billion from Harvard to settle federal probes into the university over school policies, with the two sides yet to reach a final deal despite months of talks. (More)

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We were told inflation was “transitory.” Then we were told it was “over.” The mainstream narrative’s portrayal of the cost of living is an insult to every hardworking American.

Data from the St. Louis Fed confirms that aggressive new tariffs have triggered “Inflation 2.0.” These tariffs now account for nearly 11% of the headline inflation rate, driving up the cost of durable goods everywhere, creating the nightmare known as Stagflation.

For those near retirement, this puts you in the worst economic scenario imaginable. Another extended period where prices are rising, yet economic growth is slowing.

Only this time the Fed can’t save you. They can’t raise interest rates after the recent secondary cut, as it would bring the economy to a halt. They can’t lower interest rates again, without fueling inflation to new highs.

Corporations are on thin ice with missed revenue targets from Q4-2025. When quarterly earnings miss projections, the overinflated stocks making up your 401(k) may have nowhere to go but down. But there is one asset that thrives in this environment, physical gold.

During the stagflation of the 1970s, gold didn’t just survive, it skyrocketed. We saw the new heights gold reached in 2025. The price of gold during “Inflation 2.0” has the potential to be astronomical.

Don’t be on the wrong side of history, working 9-5 until your last days. Download the FREE 2026 Wealth Protection Guide to see how you can transfer your retirement savings into physical gold, tax-free, before quarterly earnings send a market correction that can cripple your wealth.

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➤ U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn announced that she’ll compete in the Winter Olympics—which start this Friday—despite tearing her ACL during the World Cup in Switzerland last Friday. (More)

➤ The top-selling NFL jersey in the country this year belonged to Philadelphia Eagles superstar running back Saquon Barkley, followed by San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, according to year-end data from American sports retailer LIDS. (See List)

➤ The NFL opened an investigation into New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch after his name appeared in the latest Epstein files release. (More)

➤ Six cities outside of Los Angeles will host soccer games during the 2028 Summer Olympics: New York, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose, and San Diego. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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Daily Market Report 02/03/2026

▼	NASDAQ National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations	23,255.19	-1.43%
▼	SPX S&P 500	6,917.81	-0.84%
▼	DJI Dow Jones Industrial Average	49,240.99	-0.34%
▼	BTC Bitcoin	$76,820.02	-2.37%
▲	GOLD Per Ounce	$4,964.00	7.39%
▲	SILVER Per Ounce	$84.69	10.31%
▲	OIL West Texas Intermediate Crude	$64.02	3.03%
▲	DVA DaVita Inc.	$134.51	+20.97%

Bitcoin, gold, silver, and oil are traded 24 hours a day.

➤ Big Stock Move: DaVita Inc. stock jumped 21% on Tuesday after the dialysis provider reported fourth-quarter results that topped Wall Street’s expectations. (More)

➤ Longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger, 74, will retire from the company at the end of the year, with Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, head of the theme park division, taking over as chief executive officer on March 18. (More)

➤ Walmart on Tuesday became one of the few non-technology companies to achieve a $1 trillion market cap after a stock climb fueled by the growth of digital businesses and new customers. (More)

➤ French prosecutors raided X’s Paris offices Tuesday and summoned Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino for voluntary questioning in a criminal probe tied to Grok’s explicit deepfakes. (More)

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Protect Your Retirement Savings from Inflation

The rich have known this all along – GOLD is the best hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. And with inflation high these days, you can easily diversify and invest in gold. It’s a great way to protect your 401k and/or IRA.

This free gold investment guide shows you exactly how you can invest in gold quickly and easily (it’s no harder than buying a stock). Don’t wait for more bad news – invest in gold and protect yourself against a rocky economy today.

Free Gold Investment Guide » »

➤ NASA delayed its Artemis 2 moon mission until March after experiencing hydrogen leaks during a dress rehearsal, pushing back humanity’s first crewed lunar orbit since 1972. (More)

➤ MIT researchers developed a portable smartphone-sized ultrasound module to screen for breast cancer at home or in doctors’ offices, potentially enabling earlier detection for high-risk patients. (More)

➤ Scientists discovered that a massive iron-rich “mega-blob” beneath Hawaii is solid rock, not molten, and may anchor the volcanic hot spot that created the Hawaiian Islands over millions of years. (More)

Wisdom Wednesday is brought to you by:

➤ Psychologists offer 25 thoughtful compliments that go beyond appearance to build deeper connections and self-worth. (See Compliments)

➤ Is it dangerous to let kids roam free? Researchers say unsupervised outdoor play builds resilience, fitness, and mental health, despite modern fears about letting children explore independently. (More)

➤ Couples who are truly close use these eight phrases when talking about each other, according to a psychologist. (See Phrases)

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➤ US Veterans may be missing out on hundreds in exclusive savings. USA Military Savings highlights money-saving tips, discounts, and benefits available only to veterans and military families—from travel and shopping to insurance and everyday expenses. See what you qualify for and start keeping more of your hard-earned money today. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Chuck Negron, the Three Dog Night vocalist whose lead vocals powered hits including Joy to the World and One, died Monday at 83 from heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (More)

➤ A survey found that one-third of workers believe companies should offer heartbreak leave after breakups, with another one-third admitting they’ve used sick days to recover from romantic loss affecting work performance. (More)

➤ Tourists narrowly escaped after a massive wave crashed over them while taking cliffside photos in the Canary Islands, ignoring warning signs and protective fencing at a notoriously dangerous coastal spot. (See Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

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