clash of the tyrants + tracking internet trolls

you’ll never see this face again

Hey you.

Half of the office are currently sunning it up in Cannes at a certain globally renowned festival – check our Insta stories – but us lanyardless members still have our noses to the grindstone. We’re not bitter or anything.

But less of that and more of what you came for. Welcome back to the Common Thred newsletter. You’re here for a roundup of the previous week’s notable Gen Z news and other relevant stories in a neat, digestible package… and by God, we’re gonna give it ya.

The White House is moving like an episode of Eastenders, Trump Mobile is apparently coming to invade this Autumn, the creator economy is likely to surpass $480 billion, and that’s just for starters.

Bibs on everyone, let’s eat.

Trump tech

Taking stock of the Trump Musk breakup – thred

Having been massively hit in the pocket, Elon is now backtracking like a prime Ngolo Kante on a Champion’s League night. The Tesla owner’s public fallout with Trump was cringe-inducing and entertaining in equal measure. The moniker of ‘First Buddy’ stood for very little when the President’s proposed ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ went after electrical vehicle tax credits and subsidies for renewable energy. In the next 48 hours, Elon was very productive, branding Trump a dodgy affiliate of Epstein, calling for his impeachment, and threatening to back political opponents to protect green policies. He’s since lost $34 billion in net worth and Tesla shares have slumped by 14%. In his defence, Musk senior said his son was very tired. Saddest of all, though, the pair weren’t sat together octagon-side for last weekend’s UFC event. Boo hoo.

The Trump mobile T1 Phone looks both bad and impossible – the verge

I used to think necessity was the mother of invention. Completely contrary to that, the (checks notes) ‘Trump Mobile T1’ will be – don’t hold me to it – hitting the market in Autumn 2025. Trump’s attempts to make the US China-levels of self-sufficient keep on rolling, and the Trump Mobile wireless provider and T1 Phone have just been announced. Beyond sparse details that the phone costs $499 and can be reserved with a $100 down payment, we know little aside from the fact it’s ‘designed and built in the USA’… oh, and that it’s a garish gold colour. Nice. There’s an obviously rushed and thrown-together website highlighting some of the supposed specs, but given the only images are clearly photoshop jobs, I doubt even fervent republicans are going to throw that sort of money around at this stage. iPhone and Android execs will be quaking in their boots. Cancel all the tech conferences, the jig is up!

Gen Z Ws

How the creator economy is reshaping modern marketing – and why brands are paying attention – forbes

Studies indicate that roughly half of Gen Zers aspire to be creators, and recent industry figures from Goldman Sachs are the proof in the pudding. While traditional avenues into careers are harder to come by for young people, the creator economy is projected to reach $480 billion by 2027. A Sprout Social report also highlighted that younger generations are way more likely to trust creators over brand ads (61%), signifying a seismic shift in the offing for the marketing industry. One-off sponsorship deals with influencers are also dying off in favour of longer term, collaborative partnerships that support creator growth. Lowe, for instance, is providing funding, resources, and project opportunities for the next wave of aspiring creators and entrepreneurs. In essence, if brands want to get into our digital wallets, they’ve got to create a more authentic vibe that aligns with our values. Just call us the cultural architects.

French Senate backs law to curb ultra fast-fashion – reuters

While Gen Z are sometimes labelled hypocrites for slandering fast fashion while shopping at big name retailers, studies have shown that the vast majority are willing to pay more for sustainable products compared to our elders. Time to put our money (or not) where our mouths are then. Environmental groups, of whom many members are Gen Z, have shown cautious optimism over the last week upon hearing France’s Senate has backed a law regulating ultra fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu. This includes imposing eco-taxes, further advertising bans, and influencer restrictions. Consumers could also be taxed up to 5 euros per product and 10 euros by 2030.  While the rules also apply for regular fast fashion brands, like Zara or H&M, the limitations and sanctions aren’t quite as severe. Ideally, all companies would operate under the same conditions, but the bill is a start and worth patting ourselves on the back for. More to come… we hope.