Seattle, WA
Seattle Times prints aggressively weak argument against Trump
You’d think The Seattle Times’ business and economics columnist would grasp, well, business and economics. But like many in Seattle media, Donald Trump broke Jon Talton. And Talton isn’t afraid to humiliate himself in print just to remind us how much he despises the former president.
In the dramatically titled, “A Trump victory would at least shatter the Seattle economy,” Talton claims the former president threatens the “superstar city” status of Seattle. What he doesn’t bother to explain is how Seattle even qualifies as a “superstar” these days, especially considering he conveniently skips the actual economic data. And if he had included it, he’d be arguing against his own narrative.
Wondering how Talton builds his case? Spoiler alert: he doesn’t. Lacking in facts and completely devoid of any serious analysis, his entire argument boils down to this — Seattle’s economy would supposedly tank under Trump because, well, Talton hates Trump. The column was so laughably weak and absurd, it caught the attention of Fox Business and earned some well-deserved ridicule, courtesy of yours truly.
Seattle City Council ruined the local economy, not Trump: Jason Rantz https://t.co/3Xf2PBtSN2 #FoxBusiness
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) October 14, 2024
Trying to make sense of Jon Talton’s bizarre claims about Trump and Seattle
The Seattle Times columnist spends shockingly little ink on discussing Seattle in an article about why Trump would hurt Seattle.
Talton begins his column complaining that Trump “forced” Boeing, which isn’t based in Seattle, into a fixed-price contract that converted two 747s into Air Force One planes. He noted that Boeing “lauded the deal” publicly on then-Twitter. How does this help Talton’s argument? It doesn’t. He merely said they were bullied.
Then, Talton claimed Trump threatened Amazon, which is headquartered in Seattle. But he didn’t explain the threat, merely linking to a previous column where he wrote about a Trump tweet about a report that “the U.S. Post Office will lose $1.50 on average for each package it delivers for Amazon.” He said that Amazon shouldn’t benefit from discounted rates. This isn’t a threat, of course. It’s a policy position.
Finally, Talton complained that Trump labeled Seattle an “anarchist jurisdiction” because of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, which was, in fact, anarchist.
This is the entirety of his argument that Trump is specifically bad for Seattle, before complaining about the former president’s proposed tariffs. That the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris administration maintained most of the tariffs, like a Harris presidency would likely continue them, didn’t earn but a brief and supportive message.
Seattle, a supposedly “superstar city” according to Seattle Times columnist
Talton defends Seattle’s honor by calling it a “superstar city” despite its “shortcomings in 2020.” He just forgets to make a case, and pivots to shining a spotlight on the Port of Seattle and the City of Redmond.
His Seattle Times argument is relegated to noting the metropolitan area is home to Amazon and Microsoft, along with unnamed “numerous other corporate headquarters,” and has “one of the most vibrant and diverse economies in the United States,” though he doesn’t provide any data.
Next, he offers a remarkably lazy, bad faith and disingenuous attempt to credit Biden for a strong Seattle economy, while also acknowledging, “Presidents have only limited control over the economy.”
“Still, after a serious inflation scare, the economy under Biden is remarkably successful, despite Trump’s claims. Inflation has cooled to a normal level,” he wrote.
Seattle and Washington economies thrived under Trump, not so much under Biden. Don’t expect Seattle Times to be honest
Though Trump is bad for Talton’s mental health, he was a boon to Seattle. The city actually thrived under his presidency but barely stayed afloat under Biden/Harris.
Until COVID-19, the Seattle metro unemployment rate saw record lows, hitting 2.7%. Post-COVID-19, under Biden/Harris, the city continues to struggle with a 4.7 unemployment rate. In fact, after post-COVID-19 recovery (based on reopening the economy, not any specific policy), the unemployment rate has been seeing a steady incline.
Statewide, we’re at 4.8% unemployment, which is higher than the national average. Still, Talton said economists consider this “full employment” (defined as an unemployment number under 5%, which we’re almost at).
Under Trump, we hit a low of 3.6% unemployment rate after seeing decreases in nearly every month Trump was in office. Under Biden/Harris, we briefly hit a low of 3.4% before a steady increase through the latest data.
Diverse economy?
One particular reason why Seattle’s economy has struggled is because we’re not a “diverse” economy as Talton suggested. We’re an Amazon- and tech-centric economy.
Though Talton forgot, it was an uber-progressive and socialist Seattle City Council that introduced a head tax against Amazon before ultimately passing a payroll tax. It pushed thousands of Amazon jobs from Seattle to Bellevue. Concurrently, post-COVID-19 tech boom, demand softened and Amazon, along with other local tech firms, saw layoffs and cut spending. This happened under Biden/Harris, not Trump.
Meanwhile, as Democrats’ soft-on-crime policies and laws took effect, small businesses suffered. It’s already expensive doing business in Seattle. Adding expenses to fix storefronts destroyed by stolen cars driven through them and having to relocate because of violent crimes doesn’t help the economy prosper.
More from Jason Rantz: Baristas hold coffee shop hostage, business man warned not to share economic reality
Tariffs and inflation and cost of living, oh my!
Talton argued that Trump’s tariffs would hurt the economy locally, though they didn’t when Trump was in the White House. This time, however, he said they will because … Trump is bad.
He actually argues that tariffs, not COVID-19, was the reason the state’s merchandise trade exports declined. And, of course, he doesn’t mention COVID-19 at all.
Though Talton argued “inflation has cooled,” he doesn’t mention that it skyrocketed to record highs under Biden/Harris, while staying low under Trump. The cost of living, including food, gas, and housing, were all cheaper under the former president, which explains why he doesn’t cite the data.
Trump is bad because … Trump. Or something?
It’s fair to debate the impact of tariffs, no matter who’s in the White House. And Talton is obviously entitled to disagree with Trump ideologically. But his article is weaker than The Seattle Times’ subscriber count.
Talton’s column relies more on fiction than fact, which explains why he couldn’t support his argument with any meaningful data. Instead, he had to wander outside of Seattle to Redmond, Everett and the rest of Washington in a desperate attempt to make his case. And he even failed at that.
I get it: Talton doesn’t like Trump (or at least feels the need to pretend not to if he wants to keep his job at The Seattle Times). But why let that hatred — whether genuine or for show — drive him to embarrass himself so thoroughly in such a poorly thought-out column? Who benefits from this?
Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow Jason on X, formerly known as Twitter , Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
SEATTLE – Western Washington is staying locked into a cool and unsettled weather pattern as we head into the second half of the week.
Showers will continue to rotate through the region over the next several days as a series of weather disturbances move overhead, keeping skies mostly cloudy and temperatures running below average for mid-May.
Thursday will bring a brief break in the action before the next weak system arrives later in the day. Expect scattered showers to redevelop with plenty of cloud cover sticking around. Temperatures will remain cool, with highs near 60 degrees.
It will be cool on Thursday in Western Washington with increasing clouds and showers. (FOX 13 Seattle)
What’s next:
The weather turns a bit more active Friday as the next system swings into the Pacific Northwest. Western Washington will see widespread showers and even the possibility of a few isolated thunderstorms. While not everyone will hear thunder, a few heavier downpours and small hail can’t be ruled out if any storms manage to develop during the afternoon.
Rain showers will push through Western Washington again on Friday afternoon. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Saturday will be cool with scattered showers and another chance for isolated thunderstorms, especially near the Cascades. Afternoon highs will struggle to make it out of the 50s across many lowland Puget Sound area communities.
Mountain travelers should also be prepared for a dramatic change compared to the recent warm spell. Much colder air will filter into the Cascades this weekend, and while significant snow accumulation looks unlikely, higher elevations could still see snow showers and sharply colder conditions. Anyone planning outdoor recreation in the mountains should be ready for winter-like weather at times.
Snow levels will drop to near pass levels in the Washington Cascades Friday through Sunday. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Looking Ahead:
The pattern finally begins to improve late in the weekend and into early next week. High pressure is expected to rebuild over the northeastern Pacific, bringing a return to drier weather and some sunshine. Temperatures should gradually rebound back into the 60s by Monday and Tuesday, although the ridge may remain weak enough to allow for occasional clouds at times.
Temperatures will be cool the next three days with showers in Seattle, but next week will be drier and warmer. (FOX 13 Seattle)
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The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
SEATTLE – Remember that iconic Gap advertisement with the girl group dancing to “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard” that took the internet by storm in August?
What we know:
Katseye, the girl-group in the ad, are taking center stage at Climate Pledge Arena on Nov. 17, with ticket sales dropping on Thursday, May 21 and their new EP, Wild, is set to release on Aug. 14 via Hybe x Geffen Records.
The global girl group announced their WILDWORLD TOUR on Wednesday, bringing Katseye to arenas across Europe and North America this fall.
Katseye’s tour will kickoff in Dublin, Ireland on September 1, at Dublin’s 3Arena, while the North American portion of their tour launches Oct. 13 in Miami, Florida at Kaseya Center. Other honorable tour venue mentions include UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY and Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The WILDWORLD TOUR will conclude at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City on Nov. 27.
Keep reading for ticket information and the full tour itinerary.
Ticket Information
What’s next:
Tickets will be available beginning at the end of May. Specifically, Weverse Artist Presale tickets will be available on Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. local time, before the Katseye.World Presale at 3:00 p.m. local time.
General onsale begins Thursday, May 21 at 3:00 p.m. local time at www.katseye.world.
Tour itinerary
KATSEYE – WILDWORLD TOUR
UK/EU
9/1 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
9/3 – London, UK – The O2
9/6 – Manchester, UK – Co-Op Live
9/9 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
9/11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
9/13 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
9/15 – Antwerp, Belgium – AFAS Dome
9/17 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena
North America
10/13 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
10/15 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
10/20 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
10/22 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
10/24 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
10/28 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
10/30 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
11/1 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
11/3 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
11/5 – Chicago, IL – United Center
11/7 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
11/10 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
11/11 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
11/14 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
11/17 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
11/19 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
11/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
11/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
11/27 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes
2026 Festival Dates
6/5 – New York, NY – The Governors Ball Music Festival
7/30 – Saint Charles, IA – Hinterland Music Festival
8/8 – Pasadena, CA – 88rising Festival: Head In The Clouds
The Source: Information in this story came from a press release from Katseye and the katseye.world website.
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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
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SEATTLE – An upper level low will increase showers and isolated storms overnight. Some storms that develop could produce locally heavy rain, thunder and lightning along with gusty winds. The best chance will be along and east of the I-5 corridor. Scattered showers will be possible during the day. There is also a chance for a light dusting of snow in the higher mountains.
Upper level low will increase showers and isolated storms overnight with scattered showers possible during the day. (FOX13 Seattle)
Wind Advisory in Eastern Washington
As the disturbance crosses through the region, winds will be especially gusty in Central and Eastern Washington. A Wind Advisory will be in effect for many of these locations through late Wednesday night.
Winds will be picking up on Wednesday with gusts nearing 50 mph. (FOX13 Seattle)
What’s next:
After warming into the low 80s on Tuesday, Wednesday will feel quite a bit different. Afternoon highs will only be in the upper 50s and low 60s, a good 20 degrees cooler than just 24 hours ago.
Afternoon highs will be significantly cooler on Wednesday.
Looking Ahead:
Even after Wednesday’s early morning rain, the rest of the week will remain unsettled. Additional chances for showers and cooler into the weekend. We will again near 70 degrees by early next week.
Cooler and wet for Wednesday with additional showers possible this week.
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How to get tickets for Journey’s new Seattle concert date at Climate Pledge Arena
Tacoma man accused of gunning down man sitting on sidewalk
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
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