Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is defending the company’s high-priced drinks, arguing that customers are willing to pay for what he calls a “luxury experience.”  Speaking The Wall Street Journal’s What’s News AM podcast, Niccol said Starbucks is performing well across income levels, even as some drinks approach $9. “We’re doing really well with Gen Z and millennials, and then really had strong performance across all income cohorts,” Niccol said. “It can start with as little as $3 for a traditional cup of coffee. And then obviously you can build your way into all sorts of customized drinks that people love that move that ticket up.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The Wall Street Journal (@wsj) When asked whether concerns about a so-called K-shaped economy could impact sales, Niccol said Starbucks isn’t seeing signs of strain. “What we’re seeing is people, they want to have a special experience, and regardless of what your income level is,” he said. “In some cases, you know, a $9 experience does feel like you’re splurging. And then, what that means  is we have to make it worthwhile, right?” In other cases, he added, customers view Starbucks as an affordable premium option. “They’re saying, ‘Well it’s less than $10 and I get a really premium experience,’” Niccol went on. “So, regardless of where you’re stationed in those income cohorts, we want to make that experience worth your while.” Niccol also described a visit to Starbucks as “a moment of escapism,” adding that customers value consistency across price points. “I think people actually really do appreciate knowing, “Hey, if this is a $3 cup of coffee or a $5 latte, I know I’m going to get a great experience for that $5 experience, I’m in,” he added. Many commenters called the exec out of touch. “This video just confirms how detached from reality those people are. [Starbucks] IS NOT a premium experience, nor is the coffee worth $9,” one person wrote.  “I’ll pass on this premium experience,” another agreed. A third commenter quipped, “Friends don’t let friends drink Starbucks.”

Millennials are rejoicing as a staple of their childhood will make a triumphant return this summer. Pizza Hut just announced that their “Book It!” summer reading program, which encourages kids to read more books in exchange for free pizza, will be making a comeback. The restaurant announced the news on social media last week. “SUMMER OF STORIES IS BACK!” the post caption said, adding that enrollment begins today, May 1. “Get ready to turn reading time into pizza time! This summer, keep your kids’ reading, learning, and loving books… all while earning FREE pizza.”   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program (@bookitprogram) The free program will reward young readers who hit their milestones by providing them with digital Reading Award Certificates, which are redeemable for a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut. Students can earn up to one free pizza per month. The promo is available for students in grades preschool through 6th, but commenters insist it should be extended to adults, too. “Millennials need an adult version! Some of us are still readers because of this program!” one reaction said. “Can us Gen X and millennials get this back for us!!! Us big kid need pizza too,” a second person echoed. “Thank you so much for bringing this program back! I have a 1st grader who we’ve been expressing the importance of reading so having this program as an incentive is helpful,” another person said. “We are so excited! The nostalgia that our kiddo gets to participate!” another person wrote. The Book It! program began following a 1984 initiative from President Ronald Reagan calling for more businesses to promote education. It was created by Arthur Gunther, the president of Pizza Hut at the time, and marketing executive Bud Gates, per The New York Times. More than 70 million children have participated in the program, resulting in 1.5 billion free pizzas being given out as rewards. The summer reading Book It! Promotion will run from June 1 until August 31. Parents can sign kids up through the BOOK IT! App.

President Donald Trump returned to the campaign-style stage Friday, delivering a wide-ranging, 90-minute address to a packed crowd in The Villages, Florida, where he leaned heavily into a message tailored to one of his most reliable constituencies: American seniors. At an event billed as “Golden Age for the Golden Years,” Trump framed his administration’s economic agenda around a centerpiece promise, eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits, while tying it to a broader claim of national resurgence. “Our country is hot again,” Trump told the crowd. “These are your golden years … but this is really the golden age of America.” Trump opened with a nod to the recent assassination attempt last weekend, brushing aside security concerns in a line that drew applause from the audience. “They want me to be in a secure place, I said, ‘What’s more secure than The Villages?’” He quickly pivoted to policy, emphasizing what he described as historic tax relief for retirees. “No tax on Social Security — it’s done,” he declared, adding that more than 51 million seniors now effectively pay no federal income tax. He also cited an average deduction of over $7,500, arguing the policy is already translating into tangible benefits for retirees. Trump illustrated the impact with anecdotal stories, including a Villages resident who used her tax refund to pay for a new roof. “That means more money to visit your grandkids … extra dinners out with your family,” he said. “You’re going to do a lot.” The speech veered into familiar territory, including media criticism, attacks on political opponents, and reflections on his past administration. However, Trump consistently circled back to economic themes aimed at older Americans. He argued that seniors were “ravaged” under former President Joe Biden by inflation, which he called “the worst in the history of our country,” contrasting it with what he described as record gains in retirement accounts under his leadership. “Under Biden, the average 401(k) rose $875 a year,” Trump claimed. “Under Trump, that number is $30,000 … for seniors, $50,000, $60,000, even $70,000.” Healthcare policy was another major focus. Trump touted reductions in prescription drug prices, claiming his administration secured cuts of up to “80 or 90 percent” through international pricing pressure. He also announced expanded Medicare coverage for weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, which he said would cost seniors “$50 a month.” “We had the highest drug prices anywhere in the world,” Trump said. “Now we have the lowest.” The president also highlighted anti-fraud efforts in entitlement programs, saying his administration had removed hundreds of thousands of ineligible recipients from Social Security and Medicare rolls. “What we’re really doing is saving Social Security,” he argued. On foreign policy, Trump defended ongoing military action against Iran, framing it as a necessary step to prevent nuclear proliferation. “We’re in a war because we cannot let lunatics have a nuclear weapon,” he said, drawing chants of “USA” from the crowd. He added that oil prices would “come crashing down” once the conflict concludes. The event drew several Florida Republicans, including Rep. Byron Donalds and Sen. Ashley Moody, underscoring the state’s continued importance in Trump’s political coalition. Outside the venue, a smaller group of protesters organized by local Democrats staged a golf cart demonstration, signaling that even in one of Trump’s strongest enclaves, opposition remains active. Still, inside the packed hall — and in overflow areas filled with thousands more — the message landed squarely with its intended audience. Trump urged midterm turnout using  a familiar refrain: “Make it too big to rig.” For a president fresh off another attempt on his life, the stop in The Villages was both a reminder that his base remains strong and that his message continues to resonate.

Less than a year after a devastating flood in Texas killed 25 young campers and two counselors, Camp Mystic has abandoned plans to reopen this summer after backlash and ongoing investigations. The camp had initially aimed for a May 30 reopening, but faced intense scrutiny from Texas lawmakers, law enforcement, and victims’ families. A recent state health agency review also found the camp failed to meet key safety and emergency requirements. In a statement released Thursday, Camp Mystic said it would not reopen and is “withdrawing its application for a summer 2026 camp license.” “No administrative process or summer season should move forward while families continue to grieve, while investigations continue and while so many Texans still carry the pain of last July’s tragedy,” the statement read. The camp said it did not want to “remove any doubt” that it had heard concerns from grieving families, state lawmakers, and the public, though it noted that “over 800 girls want to return” this summer. The announcement follows contentious hearings this week at the Texas State Capitol, where the Eastland family, which owns and operates Camp Mystic, faced hours of questioning from lawmakers. “If y’all are left as an operator in any form or fashion, what deterrent does that send to another operator that I can have kids die on my watch and still be an operator?” State Senator Charles Perry said. State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst also questioned whether the camp was prepared to resume operations. “Do you really think you’re ready to take on 500 children plus?” she asked. The Eastlands defended their response to the disaster. “This flood, we did not see coming,” said Edward Eastland, the camp’s director. “Our concept of high ground has now changed forever.” Edward Eastland’s father, Dick Eastland, a former director of the camp, was among those who died in the flood. Mary Liz Eastland, who also helps run the camp, said the family is willing to step back if necessary. “We’re willing to take a step back, if camp can go on,” she said. The camp is also facing multiple lawsuits from victims’ families.

President Donald Trump has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany, scaling back America’s military presence in Europe to levels seen before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “The Secretary of War has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops from Germany,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said. “This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground. We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months.” The move comes after months of criticism from Trump, who has accused NATO allies of failing to support U.S. operations against the Iranian regime and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which he says Europe relies on more heavily. Trump has described the 32-member NATO alliance as a “paper tiger” and a “one-way street.” He has also been in a public feud with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, accusing him of downplaying the threat posed by Iran and warning that such positions could have serious global consequences. “The Chancellor of Germany… thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about!” Trump posted on social media on Tuesday, adding that if Iran obtained such a weapon, “the whole World would be held hostage.” Merz had earlier accused Iran of stalling negotiations and humiliating the United States. A senior Defense Department official told The Daily Wire that the troop reduction reflects the administration’s frustration with European allies. “The Europeans have not stepped up when America needed them. This cannot be a one-way street,” a senior Department of War official told The Daily Wire. “The President has been very clear about his frustrations about our allies’ rhetoric and failure to provide support for U.S. operations that benefit them.” The official added that the president is directly reacting to German rhetoric, which has been “inappropriate and unhelpful.” The withdrawal will primarily affect a brigade combat team and other forces stationed in Germany. It also halts a planned deployment of a long-range fires battalion that had been scheduled to arrive later this year under a Biden-era plan. Officials said the directive takes effect immediately, though details about the specific units and movement timelines remain limited. The decision is part of a broader strategic realignment focused on the homeland, Western Hemisphere, and Indo-Pacific, while restoring readiness across the military, particularly within the Army. It would also bring U.S. troop levels in Europe closer to pre-2022 levels, before forces surged in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a buildup, officials emphasized, that was always intended to be temporary. “The President’s decision also sends a very clear signal about how important it is for Germany and other allies to take primary responsibility for Europe’s defense,” the official said.