The Brief: Feb. 17, 2025 – The Swamp’s Gold Panic, Trump’s Trade War, and Washington’s Death Spiral

Patrick Gunnels unpacks the latest D.C. freakout as search trends for “Swiss bank accounts,” “offshore wire transfers,” and even BleachBit wipes skyrocket in the nation’s capital. As Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) slashes funding, lays off thousands of bureaucrats, and digs into federal corruption, it seems more than a few insiders are looking for an exit strategy...fast.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Rand Paul are calling for an audit of Fort Knox, reigniting speculation that America’s gold reserves may not be as solid as advertised. With gold prices nearing $3,000 an ounce and banks mysteriously flying gold from London to New York, what exactly is going on behind the scenes?

On the geopolitical front, Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan is shaking up the global economy as the EU and China scramble to adjust. While the media tries to frame it as reckless, the truth is simple: America is finally playing by its own rules again.

With the deep state caught in its own feedback loop, the establishment in full panic mode, and Trump rewriting the playbook in real-time, it’s clear that the system is breaking down faster than they can control it.