Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Diversifies Portfolio with Investments in AI, Apparel, and Energy Stocks

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, serving Georgia's 14th congressional district and a member of the Oversight and Reform Committee and the Homeland Security Committee, has a reported net worth of $22.15 million according to Quiver Quantitative. Greene maintains a diversified portfolio, including investments in tech companies, consumer discretionary stocks, and energy firms. On June 24, she purchased shares of ASML, Costco Wholesale, CrowdStrike, Lululemon Athletica, and NextEra Energy, with each trade valued between $1,001 and $15,000.

Greene's investments in AI-related stocks include ASML and CrowdStrike. ASML, which manufactures equipment for chipmakers, saw its shares rise after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company announced plans to expedite the purchase of ASML's extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machine. CrowdStrike, a cloud-based security solutions provider, reported a 33% year-over-year growth in annual recurring revenue to $3.65 billion for the April-ended quarter, driven by its AI-enhanced threat detection and risk remediation measures. CrowdStrike also launched Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR, integrating third-party data and AI capabilities to enhance enterprise security.

In the consumer discretionary sector, Greene invested in Lululemon Athletica and Costco Wholesale. Lululemon continues to thrive despite economic challenges, aiming to double its net revenue to $12.5 billion by 2026. Costco posted a 7.4% year-over-year increase in June sales to $24.28 billion, with net sales rising 6.9% year-over-year to $210.55 billion for the first 44 weeks. Costco also announced a quarterly dividend payout of $1.16 per share and plans to increase annual membership fees starting September 1. Greene has also been buying shares in NextEra Energy since 2021, with the company reporting strong first-quarter results, including a net income of $2.26 billion and placing 1,640 megawatts of new solar products in service. (Full story)

A Minnesota woman, Erin Walters, was denied car insurance by both State Farm and Progressive for her 2019 blue Hyundai due to high theft rates associated with the model, which lacks an immobilisation system. Walters, a loyal State Farm customer for five years, was shocked by the denial and called for Hyundai to initiate a recall to equip these vehicles with anti-theft software. State Farm explained their decision, citing the need to manage risk and the impact of excess claim costs on all customers, noting they had temporarily halted accepting new applications for certain Hyundai and Kia models in some states. Nearly 10 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles sold in the US between 2011 and 2021 are vulnerable to theft due to the absence of essential immobiliser technology. This vulnerability has led to a rise in thefts, showcased in viral videos by the "Kia Boys," resulting in tragic consequences. Walters now spends at least four hours daily trying to find an insurance company willing to cover her car, facing frustration and legal challenges due to her lack of insurance. (Full story)

Caitlin, a California resident, has chosen to live in an underground bunker in her friend's backyard, paying $500 a week for her 1,100-square-foot residence, which she moved into in April. Despite the lack of natural light, the bunker, which features enough bunk beds to accommodate over 20 people, boasts self-sufficient utilities including a well for water and solar panels for power. Caitlin has been documenting her unconventional lifestyle on TikTok, explaining that her friend purchased the property with a bonus bunker a few years ago. The bunker includes a living room, kitchen, main bedroom, bathroom, and multiple storage compartments. Caitlin's choice was influenced by the high cost of living and the current housing market, making it a financially sensible option for her. (Full story)

In a daring rescue, David Butler, a 67-year-old retired engineer, sustained severe burns while saving his 19-month-old granddaughter, Lilly, from their burning Volvo XC40 hybrid vehicle. The incident occurred in Hindley Green, Greater Manchester, when smoke and flames engulfed the rear seat where Lilly was strapped in her baby seat. Despite the rear door being stuck, Butler managed to free Lilly by reaching through the front seat. The car then exploded, igniting the fuel tank, and Butler sustained burns covering 60% of his body. The £40,000 vehicle, delivered just a week prior, caught fire, raising questions about the safety of electric and hybrid cars. Both Lilly and Butler required medical attention, and Lilly's mother, Sasha Caffrey, expressed gratitude for Butler's heroism on social media. (Full story)

John Deere has announced it will no longer participate in cultural awareness events or initiatives, shifting its focus away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. This decision follows a similar move by Microsoft, which recently laid off its DEI team due to "changing business needs." John Deere’s statement on its X account indicated that its Business Resource Groups will now concentrate solely on professional development, networking, mentoring, and supporting talent recruitment efforts. The company will audit all training materials and policies to ensure they do not contain socially motivated messages while continuing to comply with federal, state, and local laws. John Deere emphasized that diversity quotas and pronoun identification are not part of its policy. This shift occurs as the company faces pressure from its primary consumer base, which leans conservative. Similarly, other tech giants like Zoom, Google, and Meta have also reduced DEI roles in 2023, and a report from Culture Amp shows that the percentage of businesses hiring external DEI consultants dropped from 66% to 47% between 2022 and 2023. (Full story)