Shoutout to the Holland Tunnel conspiracy theories.
Today is the 97th anniversary of the opening of New York City’s Holland Tunnel. The tunnel was a remarkable feat of engineering and also the subject of conspiracy theories. One of those was that the tunnel was secretly going to be used for military operations, while another theorized that the tunnel — which is 97 feet underground — was a “gateway to the underworld.” Silly theory, right?
Well, turns out it was much worse: It was a gateway to New Jersey.
w🌊 RIP to old media
🤺 Fight for Senate leader
😳 Standing desks a fraud?
–Max and Max
KEY STORY
Haiti: No Fly Zone
US airlines have suspended flights to Haiti after multiple planes were hit by gunfire
On Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, was shot several times as it attempted to land. The plane diverted to the neighboring Dominican Republic. Also on Monday, a JetBlue flight was shot while leaving Haiti. The plane made it to its destination, JFK Airport in New York City. No injuries were reported on either flight
Haiti has been plagued by gang violence for years and has been in heightened political turmoil since its president was assassinated in 2021
Dig Deeper
The US embassy in Haiti said that it is “aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from” Port-Au-Prince and advised Americans to avoid the country
KEY STORY
What’s Next for Ukraine?
A number of people who seek to quickly end the war in Ukraine are advising Trump on foreign policy
The group includes J.D. Vance (who said, “I don't really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other”), Marco Rubio (who was one of 15 Republican senators to vote against arming Ukraine), and Trump’s former ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell (who has called for ending the war as quickly as possible, even if that means concessions to Russia)
The pro-Ukraine Republicans in Trump’s circle have been snubbed, including Mike Pompeo, who had advocated for continued military support
Dig Deeper
While many Ukrainians fear being forced to surrender territory to Russia, the country faces mounting challenges as the war enters its third year, with Russia advancing on the eastern front, North Korean troops arriving, and the economy heavily dependent on foreign aid
The Economist reported this weekend that many Ukrainian officials secretly welcomed Trump’s victory, as they see few ways to improve the country’s situation
ROCA’S SPONSOR
Unveiling Real Estate’s $1.3T Masterpiece
Pablo Picasso revolutionized art by challenging norms. Today, Pacaso is rethinking real estate with their vacation home co-ownership model
Pacaso’s innovation has taken all of the hassle out of buying and maintaining a luxury vacation property. It’s been such a hit, they’ve already earned nearly $100M in adjusted gross profits. Now you can own stock in Pacaso as they expand
Learn more or invest here
Disclaimer
This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com
KEY STORY
Fight for Senate Leader
The fight to replace outgoing Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is underway, as John Thune (SD), John Cornyn (TX), and MAGA-favored Rick Scott (FL) vie for the top role
The Republicans gained four seats this election, securing a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Since 2007, Mitch McConnell (KY) has served as the Republicans' Senate Leader. In February, however, McConnell announced he would step down from that role in November
Thune and Cornyn are considered the more senior, moderate, and establishment options. Scott – rated the most conservative member of the Senate by one 2022 analysis – has the support of the Trump wing of the party, including JD Vance, RFK, and Tucker Carlson
Dig Deeper
On X, Tucker Carlson accused McConnell of staging a "coup" by holding early, secret leadership votes and favoring Thune and Cornyn as his replacements despite Trump's landslide victory this month
“Without Rick Scott, the entire Trump reform agenda wobbly,” RFK added. All of MAGA has ganged up against Cornyn and Thune, whom they consider "RINOs" – Republicans in name only
KEY STORY
Out With the Old Media
The 2024 election cycle punctuated the ongoing shift away from legacy media
This election night, Fox, MSNBC, and CNN drew in a collective 21M cable viewers – a 32% drop from 2020
Candidates instead turned to podcasts to connect with viewers: Trump’s meeting with Rogan drew in 70M+ listens while Harris’ appearance on Call Her Daddy brought in 8M+ listens
Social media referrals for legacy outlets like the NYT, WSJ, and WaPo fell 25% - 50%+. RocaNews, meanwhile, registered 50M+ impressions in the month before the election, up from ~3,000 in 2020
Dig Deeper
47% of Americans listened to a podcast in the past month, up from 9% in 2008. For under-35s, 60%+ did
RUNDOWN
Some Quick Stories for the Office
🇺🇸 A Manhattan judge paused Donald Trump's "hush money" sentencing to consider the "unprecedented circumstances" surrounding his election as president
📺 In a new episode of his podcast, “Kill Tony,” comedian Tony Hinchcliffe defended his Puerto Rico joke that some speculated could have cost Trump the election
🇺🇸 The Washington Post reported that Donald Trump plans to halt the TikTok ban, scheduled to take effect early next year
💲 Bitcoin hit a record $89,000 on Tuesday as investors piled money into assets they view as likely to benefit from a Trump presidency
🇺🇸 Donald Trump is appointing former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin to run the EPA, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to serve as ambassador to Israel, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security, and veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense
COMMUNITY
🧐 Today’s question: Who’s a veteran you know who inspires you?
My grandfather Dale, a WWII veteran, never talked much about the war, but his quiet strength and dedication to his family always inspired me. He taught me the value of hard work, humility, and loyalty. Miss him so much!
My husband! He served in the Army for 6 years. He is the literal best. He strives to be an actual partner and raises the standard for all men. He’s a proud feminist, queer ally, and father of two. He’s my best friend, closest confident, biggest fan, and just all around a great guy. Everyone deserves to be loved how my husband loves me. Happy Veterans Day babe!
My cousin Shane served in the Army for five years and got hit by shrapnel twice. Despite the horrors of war he experienced, he remains one of the most upbeat, humble, and funny people I know. And to think about all of the “Iraq war sucks” content he sees on social media. Must be tough for him to feel like it was all a waste.
🧠 Today’s question: What hurt Kamala Harris’ campaign the most?
POPCORN
Some Quick Stories for Happy Hour
🧙♀️ Wicked Bad Mistake: Mattel acknowledged a misprint on packaging for dolls linked to the film “Wicked” that mistakenly directed consumers to a pornography website
🐻 Bear-Faced Lie: A man who allegedly disguised a murder as a bear attack in Tennessee has been arrested in South Carolina
🧈 I Can’t Believe it’s Non-Dairy Butter: Costco is recalling ~80,000 pounds of butter due to a labeling issue that failed to mention that the product contains milk
🇦🇺 You’ll Want to Sit Down for This…: A new Australian study involving 83,000 participants suggests standing desks may not provide the health benefits many believe, finding no reduction in heart disease and stroke risks from prolonged standing
🇷🇺 Sex Minister?: A leading Russian politician said she is reviewing proposals to create a Ministry of Sex
ROCA WRAP
Railway Romance
India
A misheard "OK" in this country led to a 12-year divorce battle.
Parts of central and eastern India face communist insurgencies, with frequent attacks on police and infrastructure. Because of the risk associated with these areas, the Indian government often restricts access. But in 2011, a station master in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh accidentally let a train enter one such area, causing his life to rapidly go downhill.
The station master had been arguing on the phone with his wife, who had continued to talk to an ex-lover. As the argument intensified, the man told her, "We'll talk at home, OK?"
His station colleague, meanwhile, overheard the “OK” and took it for permission to send a freight train into territory that was restricted at night. Though no accident occurred, the railway company ended up facing a $360,000 loss and the station master was suspended.
The fateful call and ensuing financial difficulties worsened the station master’s already troubled relationship, prompting the couple to separate and the wife to accuse her husband of harassment.
The ensuing legal battle reached the state’s top court, which now – 11 years after the case began – has granted the station master a divorce, alleging that the wife's actions constituted mental cruelty and helped trigger the train accident on that tragic night.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Final Thoughts
For anyone offended by the intro, know that the third Roca co-founder, Billy, is from New Jersey, and this is how we treat each other.
Thank you for sharing the tales of veterans in your life who’ve inspired you. There are so many great people in this country — we can never take it for granted. And for our international readers, we love you too.
–Max and Max
