Anyone who has heard my opinion about polls knows that I’m not a fan. They’re simply propaganda tools used to manipulate the masses, and that’s on the best of days with so-called “unbiased” polls. But there are other polls that I hold in even lower regard: Push polls and campaign-driven polls. They are beyond worthless. They’re actually quite dangerous since most Americans don’t realize they’re completely fake.
That’s why it’s so comical that Trump-hating Fox News made a bold declaration that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is now “closing the gap” with Donald Trump in the first caucus state, Iowa. They even not-so-subtly claimed credit for the event by noting that the bump took place after their GOP debate. But it’s all fiction. It’s wishful thinking. It’s “copium” that they can inject into their veins to ease symptoms from their Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).
Here’s their bold declaration:
Iowa poll shows Florida gov closing the gap on Trump after first Republican debate
Donald Trump remains on top of the polls among Republican presidential candidates, but the gap between the former president and his onetime political protégé could be narrowing following the first GOP debate.
A new poll from Public Opinion Strategies — a polling firm working for the DeSantis’ campaign — shows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis closing in on Trump among Iowa voters. Releasing a campaign poll usually comes with an agenda or narrative and so the results should be taken with a grain of salt.
The poll, obtained by Fox News Digital, interviewed 400 Iowa likely GOP caucus-goers and included a ballot test that saw DeSantis rise from 14% support up to 21% post-debate.
At least they had the journalistic integrity to note that it was a DeSantis campaign poll, but here’s the thing. This article wasn’t intended to sway sentiment among their readers. It was intended to sway sentiment among the majority of people who will read the headline but never actually read the article. The headline doesn’t distinguish the type of poll it was. Anyone who just reads that headline will come away thinking DeSantis is closing the gab and Fox News helped.
Neither, of course, is true. The various less-biased polls (no poll is unbiased) following the debate and the handful of polls that took place after Trump was arrested in Georgia this week show Trump’s lead extending and DeSantis’s status as a distant second place in jeopardy. Some polls show he is now in third place behind Vivek Ramaswamy and two state polls have him in fourth place.
Some may try to fault the DeSantis campaign for this, but they’re just trying to do their jobs. This is a full-blown Fox News psyop intended to sway the headline-only readers into believing that DeSantis is making up lost ground. Most of their opinions hosts, nearly all of their news anchors, and the entirety of their executive leadership either hate Trump or at least prefer an alternative. This reaffirms my long-standing opinion that Fox News executives, most producers, and possibly some of their hosts were aware of the theft of the 2020 election… and some were directly involved. But that’s an accusation to flesh out some other time.
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.