Editor’s Note: I understand that not all of our readers are supporters of President Trump. Following the Iowa Caucuses, it’s understandable that many will not be happy to hear my personal support for him nor the call for New Hampshire to be his definitive victory, but know that I hold no ill-will toward those who supported Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis, or Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Nikki Haley, on the other hand, is an existential threat and must be stopped. Trump is the person who can do that. I have been critical of Trump in the past and will continue to be critical of him when he does wrong, but Haley has no business in the White House. If that statement offends some, well, it is what it is. Haley’s supporters probably won’t want to read today’s column…
(Conservative Playbook)—The Iowa Caucuses ended exactly how most predicted: With a resounding win for Donald Trump. The gap was so wide with wins in 98 out of 99 counties that corporate media abandoned their planned narrative that the weather pushed him over the top.
Now, the powers-that-be who are trying to stop him are deciding how to proceed. Vivek Ramaswamy dropping out will almost certainly help Trump going into next week’s New Hampshire primary. Nikki Haley, who is polling in second place in the state, could only manage a third place finish in Iowa. Had she outperformed Ron DeSantis, the path forward for NeverTrumpers would be more clear since she’s projected to beat him next week. Losing to him in Iowa was a blow.
Corporate media is doing their part despite claims by the DeSantis team that they favor Trump. This notion is ludicrous considering how much they attack Trump, but it’s the storyline Team DeSantis has chosen so they’re sticking with it.
Of course, there’s this note from Michael Shellenberger that debunks those claims by Team DeSantis:
Both CNN and MSNBC carried the entirety of the speech by DeSantis, after openly refusing to carry the speech by Trump, even though Trump won a landslide with 51% against DeSantis’ 21%.
It’s madness. CNN and MSNBC are flagrantly embracing their role as propagandists.
Both CNN and MSNBC carried the entirety of the speech by DeSantis, after openly refusing to carry the speech by Trump, even though Trump won a landslide with 51% against DeSantis’ 21%.
It’s madness. CNN and MSNBC are flagrantly embracing their role as propagandists. https://t.co/SzZOz0huY8 pic.twitter.com/FE2EYAe6fo
— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) January 16, 2024
Between the blowout in Iowa and the likelihood that neither DeSantis nor Haley will drop out before New Hampshire, it seems the best bad choice for NeverTrumpers is to try to manufacture a win for Haley. In other words, they’re going to cheat.
By the technical sense of the word, they don’t necessarily have to “cheat” by breaking the law (though that’s not out of the question). New Hampshire has an open primary which means Democrats can vote in it… and they will. Efforts have already been underway to get out the Democrat vote for Haley.
That’s how much they fear Trump. RINOs and Democrats are working together to generate a massive upset. But will it be enough? That depends on MAGA.
If Trump supporters come out like they did in Iowa, there aren’t enough Democrats who would be willing to counter the vote. Most recent polls show Trump up by double-digits over Haley, and that’s before his huge Iowa victory as well as her third place finish. It’s incumbent on MAGA to not only get the vote out to counter Haley’s Democrats but also to get the word out about Haley herself. She is a NeoCon to the highest degree. One can argue based on her actions and promises that she puts the Cheneys and Bushes to shame.
The only other play the NeverTrumpers can make is to get DeSantis to drop out. Don’t count that possibility out despite his promise to remain in the race even if he finished third in Iowa. Remember back to 2020 when both Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar were pressured into dropping out ahead of Super Tuesday. Had they stayed in the race, Bernie Sanders would have almost certainly won the Democrat nomination. Neither Buttigieg nor Klobuchar had a reason to drop out other than the pressure they received. That’s the influence of the powers-that-be and DeSantis is not immune to it.
If DeSantis stays in the race as he has promised, then Haley’s only hope is to cheat. This is why it’s imperative that Trump supporters remain diligent and push for the kill. A double-digit victory in New Hampshire could effectively end the nomination process. Haley would likely drop out rather than risk a career-ending loss in her home state the following week. DeSantis would likely stay in for South Carolina and Nevada but would likely call it quits after that. Then, it’s off to the general election for Trump.
Don’t get complacent. The powers-that-be want to extend the GOP primary season for as long as possible to drain Trump’s resources ahead of the general election. Haley is their best bet to do that. They’ll do anything they can to prop her up while they still can.
Sound off about this article on my Substack.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.