新华财经纽约12月29日电（记者徐兴堂）2025年临近尾声，已故富商杰弗里·爱泼斯坦案文件公布搅动 整个美国社会，卷入其中的政客、名流争相辩解，共和、民主两党对文件的选择性公开相互指责，舆论 对大量照片与资料被涂黑表达强烈不满，此案受害者也悲愤难平。 对美国人而言，这件事恰似过去一年的缩影。从经济到社会，从内政到外交，无处不充斥着混乱与撕 裂。美国媒体用"狂野的一年""疯狂"来描述美国的2025。 不计后果愈发孤立 美国劳工部近期发布的数据显示，今年11月美国消费者价格指数（CPI）同比上涨2.7%，低于9月的 3.0%与市场普遍预期的3.1%。然而，联邦政府"停摆"造成10月份的数据无法收集，诸多关键指标—— 包括占比最大的住房成本——在计算中被默认为零。业内人士认为，11月的数据被严重扭曲。 再如，数月来，美方以打击"毒品恐怖主义"为由，在委内瑞拉附近加勒比海域部署大规模海空兵力，迄 今在加勒比海和东太平洋击沉约30艘美方指称的"贩毒船"，造成逾百人死亡。美国缉毒署报告显示，委 内瑞拉并非美国主要毒品来源地。美政府迄今未披露任何可以证明其攻击目标涉毒的证据。尼加拉瓜外 长丹尼斯·蒙卡达一语道破：所谓"禁毒 ...

Core Insights - The article discusses Evan Osnos's unique perspective as a journalist who straddles the line between elite circles and critiques them, reflecting the complexities of modern American political and social dynamics [3][4][5] Group 1: Background and Career - Evan Osnos, coming from a family of diplomats and journalists, has a background that influences his reporting style, focusing on grand narratives rather than individual stories [1][3] - His work after leaving China centers on themes of wealth disparity and elite politics in the U.S., showcasing a complex relationship with power [3][4] Group 2: Themes in Osnos's Work - Osnos's new book, "The Haves and Have Yachts," explores the lives of the wealthy, presenting a mechanical view of post-capitalist society, lacking emotional authenticity from the subjects [4][5] - The book critiques the moral contradictions of wealth, highlighting how the elite navigate their privilege while grappling with societal expectations [10][11] Group 3: Political Dynamics - The article notes a shift in political affiliations among the wealthy in Greenwich, Connecticut, where traditional Republican values are challenged by support for Trump, creating a tension within elite circles [6][8] - Osnos observes that the rise of Trump represents a broader acceptance of populist rhetoric among the elite, complicating the narrative of American democracy [9][12] Group 4: Taxation and Morality - The narrative includes a critique of the U.S. tax system, illustrating how the wealthy can legally evade taxes while maintaining a facade of moral superiority [11][12] - The story of the Getty family serves as a case study in the moral dilemmas faced by the wealthy, questioning the sincerity of their philanthropic efforts against their tax strategies [11][12]

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 0.25% on September 17, marking the first rate cut during Trump's second presidential term [1][3] - Trump has been pressuring the Federal Reserve for rate cuts, advocating for a 0.5% reduction before the recent meeting [3][6] - The Federal Reserve's members anticipate two more rate cuts in 2025 and one in 2026, each by 0.25% [3][6] Group 2 - Trump is focused on gaining control over the Federal Reserve Board, currently holding three out of twelve voting seats, aiming to secure a majority [6][7] - If Trump successfully removes Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board, he could appoint another member, further consolidating his influence [6][7] - Control over the Federal Reserve Board would allow Trump to influence the selection of the twelve regional bank presidents, potentially reshaping monetary policy [7][8] Group 3 - The current economic landscape shows a stark divide, with the top 10% of income earners benefiting from rising asset values, while the bottom 90% face inflationary pressures [8][9] - The reduction in illegal immigrant labor due to Trump's policies is contributing to rising prices in essential goods and services [9][11] - Upcoming healthcare policy changes and rising insurance costs are expected to further drive inflation [11][12] Group 4 - The anticipated monetary easing could exacerbate wealth inequality in the U.S., with potential political repercussions as the 2026 midterm elections approach [12][13] - Trump's strategies may include redirecting internal conflicts outward, potentially leading to increased political tensions and international crises [12][13]

Group 1 - The U.S. Senate narrowly confirmed Stephen Moore as a Federal Reserve governor, which was intended to facilitate interest rate cuts to stimulate the economy, but he voted against a larger cut than what was implemented [3] - Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized concerns over a weak job market and warned that the current tariff policies could lead to rising inflation, indicating that aggressive rate cuts are not advisable [6] - The agricultural sector is facing significant challenges, particularly for soybean farmers who are struggling due to lost markets in China and increased competition from Brazilian soybeans [8] Group 2 - The U.S. national debt has surpassed $36 trillion, creating a fiscal crisis that complicates the government's ability to provide subsidies to farmers, which could impact Trump's electoral support [10] - The European Union has shown reluctance to increase purchases of U.S. soybeans, prioritizing its own interests and recent trade agreements with South American countries [12] - The U.S. economy is increasingly reliant on debt, with issues such as industrial hollowing and wealth disparity becoming more pronounced, raising concerns about the sustainability of economic growth [14] Group 3 - Upcoming discussions on the debt ceiling, Federal Reserve personnel adjustments, and farmer subsidy issues present significant challenges for the U.S. administration, which may exacerbate existing economic problems if not addressed [16]

Group 1 - The article discusses the contrasting perceptions of the United States among young people, influenced by media portrayals, and highlights the darker realities revealed by Elon Musk's actions [1] - Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 led to drastic layoffs, with plans to cut up to 80% of the workforce due to perceived inefficiencies and high operational costs [3][4] - Musk's approach to layoffs involved minimal compensation, offering only three months of basic salary, which, while above legal requirements, starkly contrasts with severance packages in other countries [5][8] Group 2 - The "at-will employment" principle in the U.S. allows employers to terminate employees without cause, which Musk utilized to implement rapid layoffs without prior notice [7][9] - The disparity in compensation between executives and regular employees is highlighted, with executives receiving substantial severance packages while ordinary employees received minimal compensation [10] - The article notes that the U.S. has a high Gini coefficient of 0.48, indicating significant income inequality, and discusses the challenges faced by ordinary citizens regarding healthcare and education costs [11] Group 3 - Musk's exploration of government inefficiencies revealed issues such as unaccounted welfare funds and a chaotic defense budget, suggesting systemic problems within U.S. governance [12][13] - The article criticizes the slow pace of government projects compared to Musk's private sector initiatives, indicating a lack of efficiency in public decision-making [15] - The overall portrayal of the U.S. as a flawed system, where the voices of ordinary people are often overshadowed by powerful interest groups, raises questions about the sustainability of such a model [17]

Group 1 - The "Big and Beautiful" tax and spending bill was passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives, showcasing President Trump's strong control over the Republican Party [1][5] - The bill includes significant cuts to Medicaid, making it harder for beneficiaries to access healthcare, with an estimated 11.8 million Americans expected to lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade [2][9] - The bill will increase the deficit by $3.3 trillion over the next ten years, leading to higher interest rates and increased costs for consumer loans and business financing [4][9] Group 2 - The bill has sparked intense political battles between the Republican and Democratic parties, reflecting deepening political divisions in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election [5][8] - The passage of the bill has been met with widespread skepticism regarding its economic impact, particularly concerning the potential increase in national debt and wealth inequality [9][11] - The bill is expected to disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans, with the top 20% of income earners projected to see an annual net income increase of nearly $13,000, while the lowest income group may experience a 1.1% decrease in post-tax income [12][11] Group 3 - The bill's passage has led to a public fallout between President Trump and Elon Musk, who criticized the bill for undermining fiscal responsibility and announced the formation of a new political party, the "American Party" [16][17] - The new party could potentially influence legislative processes if it gains traction, although establishing a new political party typically requires significant time and financial resources [17]