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"Trump's Gaza Plan splinters MAGA base."

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Good afternoon. Here’s what you should know today, Feb. 5: DOGE aides search the Medicare agency’s payment systems for fraud Google chucks its diversity hiring targets The 401(k) has reached a tipping point in its takeover of American retirement By Zlati Meyer Thanks for reading What’s News! Look for the  to enjoy a free article on us—and share the link with a friend (or forward the whole newsletter!). Palestinians warming themselves by a fire in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. PHOTO: HATEM KHALED/REUTERS 1. President Trump’s proposal to take long-term control of Gaza is a rare moment of discord in a largely unified Republican party. Some of his allies have concerns about the plan ( read for free) which also calls for nearly two million Palestinians to leave for neighboring countries. Trump’s supporters worry the proposal to rebuild the enclave is unworkable and unwise. The White House press secretary said that taxpayers wouldn’t cover the cost of developing the territory, that any relocations would be temporary and that Trump hadn’t committed to sending troops to the region. Major Middle East powers rejected the president’s surprise proposal. 2. The Trump administration is considering labeling migrants a measles and tuberculosis risk. Advisers are looking for evidence of disease threats that would merit reviving a pandemic-era policy used to push back people seeking asylum at the border, current and former officials said. The Health and Human Services department is sending public-health officers to the border, according to officials involved in the effort. Kansas is experiencing a TB outbreak, and measles cases were reported recently in states including Texas. It isn’t known whether there’s a connection to the southern border. The general risk from both diseases remains low, public-health officials said. 3. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency searched Medicare and Medicaid payment systems for what it considers fraud or waste. DOGE representatives got access to key payment and contracting systems, according to people familiar with the matter. The White House and DOGE didn’t comment. Musk posted on his X platform that that’s “where the big money fraud is happening.” DOGE also has its sights on the U.S. Agency for International Development. Here’s how it was gutted in two weeks. Now to Musk’s nongovernmental life: Banks sold $5.5 billion of X loans after investor interest surged. 4. Google is eliminating goals to hire more minority employees and reviewing its DEI programs. In 2020, amid calls for racial justice after George Floyd’s murder, the search giant set a target of increasing by 30% the proportion of “leadership representation of underrepresented groups” by 2025. Facebook parent Meta and Amazon also wound down diversity initiatives in recent weeks. The moves come after a flurry of presidential orders attacking diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Meanwhile, Trump’s lightning-speed rollback of transgender rights sparked lawsuits. 5. Options traders are betting the Big Tech rally has more room to run. They’re scooping up options contracts that would pay out if stocks such as Apple and Amazon race higher in the next few weeks. For two years, traders drove up Big Tech stocks, betting that cutting-edge U.S. chips put them at the forefront of the AI revolution. Then, a one-two punch in the last two weeks: DeepSeek’s inexpensive, top-tier AI model and tariff threats against China, Canada and Mexico. Still, many tech stocks stormed back. MEMBER MESSAGE: BUY SIDE FROM WSJ What Is a Money Market Account and How to Get the Best Rates Looking for more flexibility with your savings? A money market account might be the solution. Our guide explains how these interest-bearing accounts combine higher interest rates with check-writing privileges, making them an appealing option for those seeking both growth and access. We’ll walk you through the benefits and what to consider before opening an account. EXPLORE The Number 50% The share of private-sector workers now saving in 401(k)s, the Labor Department said. That’s up from 43% a decade ago, and a key shift away from traditional pensions. The number will likely increase due to a federal law that took effect this year, requiring many new 401(k) plans to use automatic enrollment. And more small businesses are offering them. ‏‏‎Quoted “I think this is about, ‘Is he acting? At all?’ I’m acting my ass off!” —Harrision Ford, when asked how he’s similar to his character on the Apple TV+ comedy series “Shrinking”: a grumpy behavioral therapist with Parkinson’s disease who’s dealing with colleagues’ and his own hangups. The actor, best known for playing Han Solo and Indiana Jones, has long used growls and stares as a cover for his dry sense of humor. Catch Up Fired NLRB Member Sues Trump, Setting Up Clash Over Presidential Power (Read) U.S. Postal Service Resumes Shipments of China Parcels (Read) France’s Budget Crisis Ends as Government Survives No-Confidence Vote (Read) Dining Out Now Comes With a 50 Cent ‘Egg Surcharge’ (Read) The Biggest Mystery of the Super Bowl: Do the Chiefs Have a Secret Playbook? (Read) Live Better ILLUSTRATION: SAM KELLY/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, ISTOCK (4) How to cope if you’re a newly fearful flier Travelers are looking to counter rising anxiety after a deadly midair collision near D.C., the worst U.S. aviation accident in decades. Some fear-of-flying classes are seeing a surge in interest. For DIYers, here’s a list of tips from instructors and licensed therapists. Read More What Do You Think? Yesterday, we asked about sports betting. Here’s what you had to say: I don’t gamble—I’m not math challenged. —Dan Donovan, North Carolina As a lifelong sports fan, I think of myself as fairly knowledgeable, so I was excited to open accounts on a couple sports betting sites. What I have learned over the last couple of years is that despite what I think I know about sports, it does not equate to being a good sports bettor. Now I rarely place bets, and when I do I lose far more often than I win, no más. —Lance Rubeck, Michigan I do not bet on sports. I enjoy watching them, and I believe I can simply enjoy watching them more if I'm appreciating the athleticism and not anxious about the result. For gambling and higher stakes, I am invested in the stock market. I suspect the coming year will bring plenty of excitement in that arena. —Lee Meeder, South Carolina Responses have been condensed and edited. What role do 401(k)s have in your retirement planning? Let us know at whatsnewsletter@wsj.com or reply to this newsletter. Include your full name and location, and we may publish your response in an upcoming issue. Take a Break ILLUSTRATION: ALEXANDRA CITRIN-SAFADI/THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Gyat! This newsletter has rizz—it’s soooo not beta!—so I find it sus that you don’t make all your friends and relatives subscribe, bruh. (If you have no idea what any of that means, check out this story.) Read More Beyond the Newsroom Buy Side from WSJ: Slip into these stylist-approved polo shirts that can take you from the office to happy hour and even a round of golf. Today's newsletter was curated by Zlati Meyer in collaboration with Leigh Kamping-Carder in New York. Follow Zlati on X at @Zlatimeyer and Leigh at @Leigh_KC. Sign up for WSJ newsletters on markets, tech, careers and more.  Enjoying this newsletter? Get more from WSJ and support our journalism by subscribing today with this special offer.   Access WSJ‌.com and our mobile apps. Subscribe

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