Newsletter Feb 10, 2021

The Senate ruled the second impeachment trial of Trump is constitutional, but will it vote to convict him? Get the latest on the trial and other news.

3 Things

Trial before the trial: Tuesday's opening day of former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial was just the warm up act to this week's main event, but round one went to the Democrats.
After hearing opening arguments from both sides, the Senate voted 56-44 that the trial is constitutional and may proceed with the case against Trump despite the fact that he is no longer in office. Six Republicans broke ranks and voted to green light the trial.
The Dems scored early points in the trial with a presentation that brought the events of Jan. 6 -- and Trump's role in them -- back to the fore on the same chamber floor where rioters stood a month earlier. Led by an impassioned argument by lead House manager Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Dems' strategy to draw the line against establishing a "January exception" for future presidents hit home.
Trump's lawyers did little to counter the initial arguments, drawing criticism from GOP lawmakers and apparently Trump himself. Reports from Mar-a-Lago say the former president stood and shouted at the TV over the subpar performance of his legal team.
Despite the strong start and the compelling case, Dems are expected to fall short again in their attempt to convict Trump. They need a two-thirds majority to convict and are unlikely to swing the needed 17 GOP senators to their side, but that's what trials are for.
FIND OUT WHY TRUMP IS STILL EXPECTED TO BE ACQUITTED

Instant replay: For all the hours of legal mumbo-jumbo uttered by lawyers on both sides, perhaps the most powerful testimony of the first day came in the form of a 13-minute video of the Capitol attack.
Preempting arguments from Trump's lawyers that their client was not responsible for the actions of his supporters, Dems played a time-sequenced video of Trump's words at the "Save the Steal" rally and scenes of the angry mob assaulting police and the Capitol grounds.
Observers say the Senate chamber came to an uncomfortable silence as lawmakers relived the horrific events of Jan. 6, including the shooting death of Ashli Babbitt, violent attacks on Capitol police officers, and the haunting sounds of rioters breaking down chamber doors and calling for the lynchings of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Mike Pence -- with gallows in tow.
Ironically, most of the footage was shot by Trump supporters as they ransacked the Capitol and posted incriminating evidence to social media. Additional video shows Trump continuing to make false claims about a rigged election as members of Congress ran for cover. The video was so compelling, it could prove to be the biggest bombshell in a trial that still has lots of ammo to be discharged.
WATCH THE VIDEO DEMS USED TO HIGHLIGHT TRUMP'S ROLE

Biden meets big biz: With Congress tied up with impeachment proceedings, President Joe Biden turned his attention to the private sector Tuesday in an effort to build a consensus for his America Rescue Plan. He found support from some of the nation's top CEOs.
Biden brought some heavy hitters to the White House for a meet-and-greet with the new administration, including Doug McMillon of Walmart and Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan. The "Business Roundtable" gave Biden a chance share his plans for COVID relief and economic recovery while getting feedback from a group with a vested interest.
The Business Roundtable agreed to endorse a "significant" package, but declined to get onboard with Biden's proposal for a $15 minimum wage, more than double the current rate. The group said the issue would be "better debated in later legislation, so as not delay this round of relief" -- a politically correct way of saying deal-breaker.
SEE HOW BIDEN'S ECONOMIC PLANS SAT WITH TOP CEOS

Markets

DJIA	31,375.83	-0.03%
S&P 500	3,911.23	-0.11%
Nasdaq Composite	14,007.70	0.14%
Japan: Nikkei 225	29,562.93	0.19%
UK: FTSE 100	6,531.56	0.12%
Crude Oil Futures	58.18	-0.31%
Gold Futures	1,844.00	0.35%
Yen	104.58	0.02%
Euro	1.21	0.06%
* As of market close

Blockchain's best bets

Cryptocurrency's slow but inevitable rise to global prominence took another big step in the right direction this week when Tesla CEO Elon Musk invested $1.5 billion in bitcoin and helped push Dogecoin to highs.

Regardless of what 2021 holds for the market (another bitcoin run or a sudden slump?), it is clear that crypto and blockchain are here to stay. Over the next few years, we can expect to see blockchain become a vital part of the makeup of some of the biggest industries in the world.

"As more and more companies start accepting bitcoin, this will only lead to further increases in demand in a market which is limited in supply," one analyst said. "Therefore, the long-term outlook on bitcoin remains bullish even if it is starting to look quite expensive in fiat currency terms."

But big-time blockchain backers aren't waiting around for the future, getting ahead of the curve of financial institutions and governments fully embracing blockchain technology. We've compiled a list of 10 companies that are making huge strides in the areas of digital asset investments.

FIND OUT WHICH BLOCKCHAIN STARTUPS ARE ON THE RISE

Super ratings dip

Super Bowl LV seemed to have it all - a battle-of-the-ages quarterback showdown, a rematch of an offensive shootout from earlier in the season, and a captive audience stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But despite having all the hype (and a halftime show by The Weeknd to boot), Sunday's Super Bowl bash between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs turned out to be the lowest rated since the second Bush administration. To put it in perspective, Tom Brady was 29.

A total of 96.4 million tuned in to see Brady win his record seventh Super Bowl and lead the Bucs to a 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. That's 8 million fewer viewers than watched last year's game, and the lowest number since Super Bowl XLI (that's 41 for you non-Romans).

There were several factors at play in the ratings drop -- a lopsided game, the cancellation of Super Bowl parties, and the general public growing tired of watching Brady lift the Lombardi Trophy -- all could be to blame. But with advertising revenue down like the ratings, it's a safe bet that CBS took a bath in this Super Bowl -- and not the celebratory Gatorade kind.

HOW SUPER BOWL LV'S RATINGS STACK UP AGAINST OTHERS

Fast-food freebies

Big Mac or Whopper? McDonald's fries or Burger King's Chicken Fries? The Egg McMuffin or the Croissan''Wich? Fast-food fans ask themselves those questions when getting the urge to splurge on some quick, cheap grub, but now there's another factor to enter into the what-to-eat equation.

Capitalizing on the growing popularity of fast-food apps, Mickey D's and BK are launching their own loyalty programs for customers on the go. The new My McDonald's Rewards and Burger King Royalty Perks apps are being tested in limited markets with plans to go nationwide later this year.

Like other rewards programs being successfully used by fast-food chains like Chick-fil-A and Dunkin, these two industry giants are hoping to get in on the action. McDonald's and Burger King customers can earn points toward free food with each purchase, and special promotions like double-points days and free upgrades will give regulars more reason to visit.

FIND OUT WHICH FAST-FOOD CHAINS HAVE THE BEST NEW APPS