Trump Just Threw Clean-Car Policy in Reverse

US News

Trump Just Threw Clean-Car Policy in Reverse

What's going on: In a move straight out of Animal Farm, President Donald Trump announced last week that his administration repealed the scientific “endangerment finding,” which determined that greenhouse gases harm human health. The move means the US will no longer be able to enforce emissions standards for passenger vehicles and will scrap credits for automakers that produce fuel-efficient cars. The White House says the changes will save Americans over $1.3 trillion by reducing regulatory costs, but it didn’t explain how it got to this number. While Trump promises the public “better cars” for “way less,” experts don’t share the same optimism. In response, California plans to sue to maintain stricter fuel standards, and other states will likely follow suit.

What it means: Auto industry experts told USA TODAY that changes in emissions rules won’t necessarily translate into cost savings for consumers. They note federal safety and fuel economy standards are actually what saves families thousands on average over time. Analysts also agree that automakers likely won’t give up on EVs entirely, even after this ruling. US presidents have played ping pong with tailpipe emissions and fuel economy standards for decades now (and yes, Kelley Blue Book has the receipts). So before you Carfax your EV or consider a trade-in, pretend you’re at a yellow light and proceed with caution. And if you’re in the market for a new vehicle, do your research. When in doubt, use an EV vs. gas cost calculator. 

Related: All the Unexpected Ways Trump’s Rollback Could Hurt Your Wallet (CNBC)

The News in 5

🗞️ Civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson died peacefully in his sleep at 84, according to his family. He worked alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and helped shape the civil rights movement for decades.

🗞️ A Georgia father is on trial after gifting his teen the rifle used in a deadly school shooting — despite alleged warnings the boy would harm others.

🗞️ If you thought things at the Louvre couldn’t get worse, you’d be wrong. Somebody bubble-wrap the pyramid.

🗞️ A new device caught what embryologists missed — and it has already helped one couple have a baby.

🗞️ One popular skincare brand faces boycott calls after Epstein files revealed years of contact between the founder and the convicted sex offender.

Work

Your Raise, Approved by AI?

What's going on: If you’ve ever used AI to help you write a tough Slack, it’s not a far leap to think about using it to help ask for a raise. The twist? Many managers also use the tool to help them determine staff raises and promotions. A 2025 survey of 1,342 US managers found that six in 10 used AI to determine what to do with their direct reports. And, automation goes all the way up to HR. But as one expert noted, the problem is that AI “lacks context, empathy, and judgment” in high-stakes decision-making. It also has had notable bias problems. So believe it or not, your comp request might actually benefit from some human error.

What it means: A chatbot cannot replace a good performance track record and strong relationships. Still, it may help sharpen your language and frame the conversation with your manager. Start by listing your recent accomplishments. Then ask the chatbot something direct and specific to connect each win to team or company KPIs. Don’t forget to fact-check everything (yes, everything). AI can overstate, flatten nuance, or even invent tidy but inaccurate metrics. Before the conversation with your boss, practice with someone. And, of course, be prepared for your chat to go somewhere AI could never have predicted.

Related: AI Resignation Letters Are the New Rite of Passage (Business Insider)

Work

That Office Smile Might Be Costing You

What's going on: The fake smile you force when that dude at work mansplains something to you isn’t just annoying. Scientists say it’s also a fast track to burnout. Researchers at Emlyon Business School in France found that “surface acting” — the habit of faking emotions the job demands while burying the ones you actually feel — creates a scientifically proven exhaustion loop. Two studies tracked more than 140 employees across multiple workdays and found that people who start their day feeling drained fake it more, making them more tired by evening. Does that mean we can stop Slacking our boss that we’re “happy to help” now?

What it means: Burnout isn’t always about your workload — though that certainly doesn’t help. Constant emotional performance chips away at focus, authenticity, and team trust. And once you’re stuck in the cycle, depleted energy makes genuine engagement feel impossible, so you keep faking it instead. The fix isn’t to air every grievance in your Monday standup. It’s your recovery — like creating intentional space from work. Use time off to fill your cup with people and activities that actually do something for you. Researchers also have a message for employers: Stop leaning on “resilience” as a buzzword and start addressing what makes people fake it in the first place. 

Related: The One Word That’s Undermining You in Meetings (CNBC)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Gisèle Pelicot details her husband’s trial and conviction in her memoir A Hymn to Life, out today.

🗓️ The Blade Angels — Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito — hit the ice for the Women’s Single Skating short program, starting at 12:45 pm ET. And they got the best introduction from Taylor Swift.

🗓️ After way too long a wait, Lana Del Rey will drop her new single. It's co-written with her alligator tour guide husband.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

According to NBC News's tracker, which grocery item's average cost has increased the most since President Donald Trump returned to office? (Hint: It's not eggs.)

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Mallory Simon, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.