The Daily Valet. - 7/3/25, Thursday

Thursday, July 3rd Edition
Cory Ohlendorf  
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Have a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday weekend. We'll see you back here on Monday.

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John Hardy

Today’s Big Story

The 4th of July

 

Do you know why we celebrate our independence in July? Set off fireworks?

 

Every year, the Fourth of July marks the height of summer in America—grills get fired up, flags fly high, and the sky bursts with fireworks. For many style-minded guys, this is also a great time to score some shopping bargains. But amid the shopping, parades and beer-fueled cookouts, it’s easy to forget exactly what we’re celebrating and why.

July 4, 1776, is the day the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, breaking ties with British rule and giving birth to a new nation built on the ideals of liberty and self-governance. Of course, the decision didn’t come easily. The colonists had been at war with Britain for over a year before the Declaration was signed. It took bold vision—and even bolder action—from a group of founders willing to risk their lives and fortunes to stand up to a king (cue the song!). What they created was radical for the time: a country that rejected monarchy in favor of a republic where power resided with the people.

But you might not know this interesting fact: When the Declaration was in its draft stages, the famous line about “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” originally had a slightly more materialistic meaning, switching out “Happiness” for “Property.” It was inspired by philosopher John Locke, who wrote in his Two Treatises of Government that political society existed to protect “life, liberty and estate.” Thomas Jefferson was the one who changed the wording, favoring a less tangible kind of fulfillment.

And while the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted on July 4, the vote itself actually took place two days earlier, according to the History Channel. Apparently, John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, so there’s that connection, too.

So why fireworks? The tradition of setting off fireworks for the occasion began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Fourth wasn’t even originally a federal holiday. But festivities became more common nationwide after the War of 1812. And people liked a reason to set off fireworks. They took it pretty seriously. Miners in Swan City, Colorado, weren’t supplied with fireworks to celebrate Independence Day in 1884. In response, they made the very reasonable decision to blow up the post office. Eventually, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; and in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.

 
Meanwhile:
 
President Donald Trump has big plans for Fourth of July 2026. What we know about America’s 250th.

Late House Drama Holds Up Trump Megabill

 

The GOP breaks record for longest House vote

Are you tired of hearing about President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”? Probably not as sick as lawmakers. Because House Republicans broke the record Wednesday night for the lower chamber’s longest vote in history after more than seven hours of grueling negotiations over the reworked bill. The slog reflects the severe reluctance among some on the House GOP’s right flank to support the marquee tax and spending package.

Dozens of lawmakers had raised complaints about the revised bill, which passed the Senate on Tuesday, with fiscal hawks wanting deeper spending reductions and moderates worried about cuts to the social safety net. Five GOP lawmakers—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Keith Self of Texas, Victoria Spartz of Indiana, Andrew Clyde of Georgia and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and several Republicans—withheld their votes. That blocked the party, at least for the moment, from proceeding to final passage. The rule vote was still open into the night as leaders tried to cajole colleagues to change their votes. Representative Thomas Massie told the New York Times that he switched his vote to “no” on the rule because if this ends up being the only vote on the domestic policy bill, he does not want to be on the record supporting it.

The $3.4 trillion legislation would extend tax cuts from Trump’s first term, implement campaign promises such as eliminating income taxes on tips and equip border patrol and immigration enforcement agents with new, militarized capabilities. While Trump appeared to have persuaded some lawmakers to support the bill, House Speaker Johnson can only lose three Republicans if all lawmakers are present and voting to send the revised bill to Trump by the self-imposed July 4th deadline.

 
Dig Deeper:
 
Axios examines five under-the-radar pieces of the bill that may impact your life.

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Verdict

 

Acquitted on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, but found guilty of lesser charges

Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bond and will remain in custody until his sentencing following the shocking verdict in his Manhattan federal court trial that found him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution—but not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex-trafficking charges.

The mixed result capped a sordid legal odyssey that shattered Combs’ affable “Puff Daddy” image and derailed his career as a Grammy-winning artist and music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star. Combs, 55, had pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations against him. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said outside the courthouse that the jury “got the situation right—or certainly right enough.”

Prosecutors said they will seek a four- to five-year prison sentence. Diddy is certainly facing potential prison time, but it’s far less than the possible life sentence that could’ve been handed down had he been saddled with a racketeering or trafficking rap. The sentence for a single “transportation count” ranges from zero to ten years. As judges almost never hand down consecutive sentences, this would mean the longest penalty imposed would likely be a decade; however, Diddy has already been behind bars for ten months, and he could get credit for good behavior down the line, reducing his time even more.

 
An Oily Celebration:
 
The ruling was welcomed by Combs' supporters, who danced, with baby oil, outside the court.

Clayton Kershaw Joins MLB's 3,000-Strikeout Club

 

But some think that the Dodgers pitcher might be last

It’s a big number for one of the biggest baseball stars of this generation—three-time Cy Young Award winner and Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw has reached 3,000 strikeouts. It happened on Wednesday night in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox when the 6-foot-4 lefty caught Vinny Capra looking with a slider, setting off a huge celebration from the adoring crowd at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw became just the 20th pitcher in MLB history—and one of three active pitchers along with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer—to hit the milestone.

For baseball fans, it’s an exciting achievement. But experts are now buzzing about how longevity on the mound is fading fast. And they’re asking, are we nearing the end of these kinds of career celebrations, particularly for pitchers? But Kershaw, himself, is hopeful. “At the end of the day, there’s a lot of guys capable of striking out 3,000 people,” he told reporters. “They just need the opportunity.”

 
FYI:
 
ESPN reports that Kershaw went on the injured list at least once every year from 2016 to 2024.

Partner

A Better Kind of Sparkler

 

 

Classic chain box necklace,
$915 / $648.50

 

John Hardy is celebrating Independence Day with a rare sale worth exploring. For a limited time, the brand is offering up to 40% off select pieces—iconic designs from the past, brought back just for this special event. It's a chance to own a piece of handcrafted history, not to mention a great piece of jewelry that you or a loved one will want to wear for years. The sale runs through July 17, so don't miss out.

 
 

Pebble heart
sterling silver bracelet
,
$550 / $328.50

 

Icon slider bracelet in sterling silver with gemstones, $1,450 / $998.50

 
 

Classic chain love knot bracelet in black, $1,100 / $658.50

 
 

Classic chain love knot bracelet in orange, $1,100 / $658.50

 

Bamboo hoop earrings
in sterling silver
,
$495 / $348.50

 
Explore:
 
Save on unique pieces this 4th of July weekend at John Hardy.

Shopping

What We’re Buying

 

A 4th of July deal

 

This weekend is made for firing up the grill, tossing back some icy beers pulled from a cooler and, well, taking full advantage of some serious savings online. In case you didn’t know, the Independence Day sales are in full swing, and while the big-ticket deals on mattresses and appliances always get the headlines, there are plenty of opportunities to score fresh wardrobe upgrades along with some stylish home goods and fitness gear, too. From summer-ready essentials to timeless investment pieces, now’s the time to click “add to cart” and save while you're at it.

 
Save:
 
The best sales for the Fourth of July weekend.

Morning Motto

You got this.

 

I have survived everything I thought I wouldn't, and I'll survive this too.

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