Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
US Pushes Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Before Summer Amid Escalating Attacks 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Jack Lang Resigns as Head of Arab World Institute Amid Epstein Controversy 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
There is a little over a month to go until the inauguration on January 20, 2021, where Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. As preparations for the inauguration are already underway, the Biden inaugural committee has already sent out fundraising packages to donors.
It remains to be seen how Biden’s inauguration would turn out given the COVID-19 pandemic even as vaccines are already being rolled out into the population. However, the Biden inaugural committee has already sent out fundraising packages to donors, each package granting some form of access as the event may likely become virtual. There are four packages or tiers that donors will receive depending on how much they donate. The inaugural committee is also open to accepting donations from corporations except fossil fuel companies. Donors may also receive sponsorship opportunities.
Such packages or rewards may include their preferred manner of viewing the inauguration or VIP participation in a virtual concert during the inauguration events or VIP tickets to future in-person events as well as virtual briefings with inaugural co-chairs. Organizations that donate $500,000 or people who donate $250,000 will be designated as vice chairs. They will receive an invitation to a virtual event with vice president-elect Kamala Harris and second gentleman elect Doug Emhoff.
Bank of America has expressed interest in supporting the Biden inaugural. The company has previously supported Donald Trump’s inauguration back in 2017. Coca-Cola has not made a decision whether to donate to the Biden inaugural. JP Morgan Chase has announced that it will not be contributing to the inaugural but will be donating to food banks in the country. The bank has previously donated to Trump’s inaugural.
At the same time, Biden has also unveiled a few more picks for his Cabinet this week. The president-elect has reportedly tapped New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland to serve in his administration as Interior Secretary. Haaland’s nomination follows Biden’s nomination of former rival Pete Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary, Michael Regan as head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as Energy Secretary. Haaland will also make history as the first Native American to lead a federal agency should she be confirmed by the Senate.
