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Three words told the story. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s campaign had billed this afternoons event in Philadelphia as a much-anticipated announcement. Of course, that specific phrase may have been more true than intended.

Ever since Kennedy entered the Democratic presidential primary race in the spring, observers had been anticipating that hed one day announce his honest intentions as a 2024 candidate. Given Kennedys rhetoric, his positions, and his support from conservative operatives, was he really running as a Democrat? A couple thousand peoplesupporters, journalists, campaign volunteers, people with nothing to dotrekked to Philly to find out.

The candidate was nothing if not on message. Standing in front of a backdrop that read DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE , Kennedy looked out at Independence Hall as he spoke of a new declaration of independence for our entire nation. He rattled off a list of everything wed soon be independent from: cynical elites, the mainstream media, wealthy donors. (Though, presumably, not the same wealthy donors who recently raised more than $2 million for him and his super PAC at a private estate in Brentwood, California, with help from his friend Eric Clapton). Onstage, Kennedy formally declared his independence from the Democratic Party and all other political partiesperhaps an unsubtle way to shoot down speculation that he might change his mind and run as a Libertarian, or even a Republican. As his wife, Cheryl Hines, said a bit cryptically before her husband took the stage: Are you really ready for Bobby Kennedy?

Kennedy, whom many came to know as a Boomer environmentalist, was the star of this mellow show with a distinct 60s campus vibe. At one table, attendees were invited to literally sketch their vision of the future on blank sheets of paper with colored pens. Throngs gathered on the grass in front of the National Constitution Center and were led in a Native American tribal dance, followed by the inoffensive piano stylings of Tim Hockenberry, who covered Jersey Girl in a Springsteen growl. Outside the entrance, enterprising vendors sold an array of Kennedy memorabilia: buttons that read RESIST INSANITY, RAGE AGAINST THE PROPAGANDA MACHINE , and FIT TO BE PRESIDENT , featuring a photo of a buff, shirtless Kennedy. One attendee waved a giant black-and-white flag with a message for their fellow Kennedy-heads: WE ARE THE CONTROL GROUP . Many people wore fedoras.

Read: Inside the mind of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

They came from all over. Michael Schroth, 69, and his wife, Luz, had taken a 4:30 a.m. bus down from Boston. Schroth told me he voted for Barack Obama twice, but also voted for the third-party candidate Ralph Nader twice, as well as Jill Stein in 2016. I look for the best candidate, and I dont care if theyre going to win or not. Its getting the idea out,” he said. Chris Devol, 56, from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, was wearing a Philadelphia Eagles hoodie and smiling ear to ear as he awaited Kennedys arrival. Devol told me he had voted for the third-party candidate Ross Perot in 1992, and that although he wasnt sure whether hed support Kennedy next November, he 100 percent supported the idea of him competing in the Democratic primary. An elderly woman named Barbara (last name withheld), a retired teacher from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, told me she believed that President Joe Biden wasnt doing anything to address the nations drug problem. She said a bag of fentanyl was recently found on the steps of her local church, then asked me if I was familiar with the Boxer Rebellion.

Prior to Kennedys address, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, one of the opening speakers, asked for a moment of silence to honor the violence of this past weekend. Someone in the crowd yelled out Warmonger! Another screamed, Free the Palestinians! Boteach acknowledged neither individual, and said he greatly respects Kennedy, who has been accused of anti-Semitism, as a man of faith. Later, Kennedy said he had arrived at a place where he was serving only his conscience, his creator, and youthe voters.

This afternoon marked the culmination of what he described as a very painful decision. He noted his long-standing ties to the Democrats, the party of his family, which he casually referred to as a dynasty, before tearing into the tyranny of the two-party system. For weeks, Kennedy had been attacking the Democratic National Committee for rigging the primary process. (The DNC has refused to hold primary debates, as is custom when a partys incumbents are running for reelection.) Kennedy has been polling in the double digits against Biden, but his support hasnt grown meaningfully since he launched his campaign. As of last Friday, according to the FiveThirtyEight average, Kennedy was polling at 16.4 percent compared with Bidens 61.2 percent. Four of his siblingsKerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II, and Kathleen Kennedy Townsendissued a statement today denouncing their brothers newly independent candidacy, calling his decision perilous for our country. Kennedy acknowledged the challenge ahead of him. There have been independent candidates in this country before, he said. But this time its going to be different.

Kennedy is the second candidate in as many weeks to go rogue. Cornel West dropped his Green Party affiliation in favor of an independent bid, telling The New York Times, I am a jazz man in politics and the life of the mind who refuses to play only in a party band! Though neither Democrats nor Republicans seem particularly worried about the candidacies of West or Marianne Williamson, Kennedy is different. The Democrats are frightened that Im going to spoil the election for President Biden, and the Republicans are frightened that Im going to spoil the election for President Trump, Kennedy said. He waited for a strategic beat. The truth is, theyre both right.

Read: The 2024 U.S. presidential race: a cheat sheet

All year long, mainstream Democrats have tried to pretend that Kennedy simply doesnt exist, with mixed results. Both the Biden campaign and the DNC declined to comment today on Kennedys switch. The RNC, for its part, blasted out a list of 23 Reasons to Oppose RFK Jr., and reports have been circulating that Trump’s allies are preparing to pummel Kennedy with opposition research. Last week, the election analyst Nate Silver argued that Kennedys independent run wont necessarily hurt Biden, and it might even help him. David Axelrod, the chief strategist of Barack Obamas campaigns, took a different view. I think anything that lowers the threshold for winning helps Trump, who has a high floor and low ceiling [of support], Axelrod told me.

Kennedy tantalized the crowd with nuggets that purport to make the case for his electability: I have seen the polls that they wont show you. He pointed out that 63 percent of Americans want an independent to run for president. Though he didnt cite the origin of this statistic, it aligns with recent Gallup polling, which also showed that 58 percent of Republicans endorse a third U.S. political party, up from 45 percent last year.

Kennedy has built his candidacy, and his career as a lawyer and writer more broadly, on the idea that there are lots of things they wont show you. As I wrote in a profile of Kennedy this summer, he has promoted a theory that Wi-Fi radiation causes cancer and leaky brain, saying it opens your blood-brain barrier. He has suggested that antidepressants might have contributed to the rise in mass shootings. He told me he believes that Ukraine is engaged in a proxy war and that Russias invasion, although illegal, would not have taken place if the United States didnt want it to.

Hes drawing from many of those Trump votersthe two-time Obama, onetime Trumpthat are still disaffected, want change, and maybe havent found a permanent home in the Trump movement, Steve Bannon told me as I was reporting the profile. Populist left, populist right, and where that Venn diagram overlapshes talking to those people.

The reality is that Kennedy will have an extremely hrd time even getting his name on the ballot. The GOP dirty trickster Roger Stone, who earlier this year was accused of being among those propping up Kennedys candidacy (something he has repeatedly denied), told me in a text message that Kennedy faces a Herculean task with 50 different state laws written by Republicans and Democrats working together to make ballot access as difficult as possible. Even if Kennedy is right and voters are looking for a true alternative to Trump and Biden, mathematically, Kennedys path to 270 electoral votes is almost incomprehensible.

Nevertheless, he said he believes that he is at the start of a new American moment. Something is stirring in us that says, It doesnt have to be this way, Kennedy said onstage. He nodded to Martin Luther King Jr.s Ive Been to the Mountaintop speech from the eve of his assassination and quoted Abraham Lincoln quoting Jesus Christ: A house divided cannot stand. He said that the left and the right had become all mixed up. He said that he was proud to count those on both sides of the abortion debate among his supporters, in addition to climate activists and climate skeptics, and, of course, the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Perhaps saying the quiet part out loud, Kennedy said it would be very hard for people to tell whether my administration is left or right. He had no shortage of curious metaphors. He promised not just to take the wheel, but to reboot the GPS. The nations two-party system? A two-headed monster that leads us over a cliff. And, in case it wasnt clear: At the bottom of that cliff is the destruction of our country.

When I interviewed Kennedy for the profile, I asked him what he thought would be more dangerous for the country: four more years of Biden, or another Trump term. I cant answer that, he said.

Around that time, I asked his campaign manager, Dennis Kucinich, if Kennedy was committed to running solely as a Democratic candidate.

Hes running in the Democratic primary, Kucinich responded.

So, no chance of a third party?

Hes running in the Democratic primary.

Gotcha. And nothing could change that?

Hes running in the Democratic primary.

Today, after Kennedy finished speaking, Kucinich briefly seized the mic and led the crowd in a building, dramatic chant:

I declare my independence!

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‘I will not go quietly,’ Gregg Wallace says amid reports he’s been sacked by the BBC

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July 8, 2025

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'I will not go quietly,' Gregg Wallace says amid reports he's been sacked by the BBC

Former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has vowed he will “not go quietly”, amid reports that he has been sacked by the BBC.

It comes after the TV host faced an investigation, commissioned by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK, into alleged inappropriate behaviour while working for the BBC.

In November, the 60-year-old stepped back from presenting the cooking show after accusations that he made sexual comments towards staff and celebrity guests on a range of programmes over 17 years.

Gregg Wallace receives his MBE for services to food and charity. Pic: PA
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Gregg Wallace received an MBE for services to food and charity in 2023. Pic: PA

Broadcaster Kirsty Wark, author and actor Emma Kennedy, and presenter Kirstie Allsopp, were among the high-profile figures who made claims of inappropriate behaviour against Wallace.

In a statement, released ahead of the publication of the summary of a report into the claims, the 60-year-old said he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made against him.

However, he said the report, carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin, had found him “primarily guilty of inappropriate language between 2005 and 2018”.

Wallace’s statement, published on Instagram, came hours before the BBC News reported that 50 more people had made claims to the corporation against the presenter, including allegations he groped one MasterChef worker and pulled his trousers down in front of another.

In his statement, Wallace labelled BBC News’s claims as “uncorroborated tittle-tattle”.

Wallace wrote: “I have taken the decision to speak out ahead of the publication of the Silkin’s report – a decision I do not take lightly.

“But after 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.

“I have now been cleared by the Silkin’s report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.

“The most damaging claims (including from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.

“To be clear, the Silkin’s report exonerates me of all the serious allegations which made headlines last year and finds me primarily guilty of inappropriate language between 2005 and 2018.”

Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
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Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024

‘I was hired as the cheeky greengrocer – now that’s a problem’

Wallace said he recognised that “some of my humour and language” was at times “inappropriate” and, for that, he apologised “without reservation”.

“But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks,” Wallace, who also referred to his recent diagnosis of autism, added.

“I was hired by the BBC and MasterChef as the cheeky greengrocer. A real person with warmth, character, rough edges, and all.

“For over two decades, that authenticity was part of the brand. Now, in a sanitised world, that same personality is seen as a problem.”

Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014
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Wallace and his partner Anna Wallace, pictured in 2014

Wallace: Complaints from ‘middle-class women of a certain age’

Shortly after the allegations first emerged, Wallace recorded a video where he dismissed his accusers as “middle-class women of a certain age”.

His remarks were met with huge criticism – including from Downing Street, where a spokesperson for the prime minister described them as “completely inappropriate and misogynistic”.

Wallace responded by posting a follow-up clip where he apologised and said he “wasn’t in a good space” when he posted the comments.

Wallace was replaced in the 20th season of MasterChef, which aired this spring, by restaurant critic and former I‘m A Celebrity contestant Grace Dent. Several Christmas episodes of the show were also pulled from the BBC’s 2024 festive schedule.

In April, Wallace spoke to the Daily Mail, denying all accusations against him and saying he had contemplated suicide following the allegations.

Wallace’s lawyers have previously called allegations that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature “entirely false”.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”

A Banijay spokesperson told Sky News: “We won’t be commenting until our report is published.” They have signalled the report will be published later this week or next.

Banijay previously said Wallace is “committed to fully co-operating” with the external review.

Alongside MasterChef, Wallace presented Inside The Factory for BBC Two from 2015 to 2023.

He also featured on various BBC shows over the years, including Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less, Supermarket Secrets, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals, as well as being a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2014.

More recently, Wallace has been promoting his health and lifestyle website, offering one-to-one coaching from both himself and a team of experts, which includes nutritionists and doctors, and his wife Anna in the role of recipe curator.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

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Prime Day-1 Green Deals: Lectric’s new XP Trike2, EcoFlow, Segway e-bikes, ECOVACS robot mowers, Anker SOLIX, and much more

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July 8, 2025

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Prime Day-1 Green Deals: Lectric's new XP Trike2, EcoFlow, Segway e-bikes, ECOVACS robot mowers, Anker SOLIX, and much more

Amazon’s Prime Day is in full swing through the rest of the week, and we’ve got a jam-packed edition of Green Deals for you today from the first round of savings that we’ve spotted so far, with all the rest being added to our Prime Day Green Deals hub here, which we’ll be updating regularly. Leading the pack is the preorder launch of Lectric’s new XP Trike2 that is getting $227 in free gear at $1,499 through July 28th. We also have some EcoFlow direct-website Prime Day savings, like the DELTA Pro 3 bundle with a 400W panel and a transfer switch at a new $2,849 low, among others. There’s also the new low price hitting Segway’s Xafari e-bike for $2,000, while the Xyber e-bike is down at $3,000. All that and much more are waiting for you below.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Lectric launches new and improved XP Trike2 with $227 in free gear for preorder at $1,499

As part of Lectric’s newly launched Better Than Prime Sale, the brand is offering preorder savings on its all-new XP Trike2 that comes with $227 in free gear at $1,499 shipped, while the upgraded 750 model won’t be available for preorder until September. This bundle would normally cost $1,726 in full, but as most folks know, the brand tends to provide discounts on the bundled items over actual price cuts. This all-new commuting solution is getting the first chance at savings through July 28th, when it is slated to begin shipping. Along with the eTrike, you’ll be getting a wider saddle with a supporting backrest, an Elite headlight, and a suspension seat post. Head below to learn more about this model and its upcoming 750 variant too.

The next generation of one of the most popular eTrikes on the market, especially amongst older riders, Lectric’s new XP Trike2 cruises onto the scene with a Stealth M24 500W rear hub motor (peaking at 1,092W) that runs quieter than normal motors, as well as a 624Wh battery. This combination provides top speeds of 14 MPH and a travel range of up to 50 miles on a single charge when the five PAS levels are activated. If you haven’t ridden in a while and want to take things slow, there is a power-limiting preset feature that dials down its max speed until you’re ready.

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There’s a bunch of notable upgrades coming with the Lectric XP Trike2, like the Cloud 50 suspension fork to take pressure off your joints, as well as hydraulic brakes for guaranteed stopping power, a headlight and taillight that provides amber side lighting, turn signals, brake lighting, plus reflective tires – all in the name of keeping you seen and safe. You’ll also be getting puncture-resistant tires with fenders over each, a 20A internal controller with an IPX5 water-resistance rating, parking brakes, a rear cargo rack with a 75-pound payload, a half-twist throttle, a new TFT LCD display, keyless riding functionality, and more.

Now, if you want to hold off for the upgraded Lectric XP Trike2 750 model, there are a few key differences to consider. First, it will be available at $1,799 shipped come September, with a larger 840Wh battery and Stealth M24 750W rear hub motor (peaking at 1,310W) that provide increased 17 MPH top speeds and a travel range up to 70 miles with the pedal assistance activated. From there, the big changeup comes from the inclusion of the brand’s Quick Switch tech that allows you to switch between cadence and torque sensors.

EcoFlow DELTA 3 Pro power station

Get $2,448 in savings on EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 3 bundle with a 400W panel and transfer switch at new $2,849 low

EcoFlow has switched to its full Prime Day Sale event running through July 11 with up to 62% discounts (and a bonus 5% savings) across a massive lineup of units. Three offers can be found only on the brand’s direct site, with the biggest deal amongst them being the DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station bundled with a 400W solar panel and transfer switch for $2,849.05 shipped, after using the code EFPDAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off. This package would normally run you $5,297 at full price, which we’ve only seen brought as low as $3,499 back in its Memorial Day sale. The deal here gives you more savings than ever, putting $2,448 back in your pocket for the best new price we have tracked.

Check out the full post and all the included bundles in our original coverage here.

Segway e-bikes

Segway’s Xafari and Xyber e-bikes with Apple Find My, proximity locking, more are starting from a new $2,000 low

Running parallel to Amazon’s Prime Day Sale event, Segway has some limited-time discounts of up to $400 on its two new e-bikes. Through July 11, you can score the Xafari e-bike at $1,999.99 shipped, while the Xyber e-bike is down at $2,999.99 shipped. Normally fetching $2,400 and $3,300, respectively, we’ve only seen previous post-launch discounts hitting these models once before at the top of June, when their prices were brought down to $2,200 and $3,000. While the low price is returning for the Xyber e-bike, the Xafari is seeing even lower pricing for this event that saves you $400 off the tag at the new best rate we have tracked.

Get the full rundown on what you can expect from these models in our original coverage here.

ECOVACS robot lawn mower

Save $600 on ECOVACS’ AI-supported Goat A2500 robot mower at new $1,100 low for Prime Day

As part of its Prime Day event, Amazon is offering the price yet on the new ECOVACS Goat A2500 RTK Robot Lawn Mower dropping to $1,199.99 shipped during this event. This new model has spent most of the time since its release earlier in the year keeping to its $2,000 full price, which we’ve seen brought down as low as $1,500 with discounts so far. During this seasonal event, we’re seeing things go even lower thanks to the 30% markdown that is cutting $600 off the tag, landing it at the best price we have tracked.

Get the full rundown on what you can expect from this new model in our original coverage here.

Anker SOLIX F3000 power station

Anker’s new modular SOLIX F3000 3,072Wh LiFePO4 station gets up to $2,599 increased savings from a new $1,599 low

Anker SOLIX has officially launched its full Prime Day Sale with up to 57% discounts, bonus savings, free gifts, and more through July 11. Among the deals we’re seeing, the brand’s new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station is getting increased savings up to 2,599 off, with things starting at the solo power station for $1,519.05 shipped, after using the code PDSG5OFF at checkout. which is also matching in price at Amazon. Outside of these initial savings, this new unit will carry a $2,599 price tag, which is reduced from the $900 $1,080 markdown that lands it at a new low price. What’s more, the brand is also offering reduced add-on accessory discounts (on the station’s landing page), giving folks the chance to pick up the home backup kit for just $99 (normally $399) and/or the 120V generator input adapter at $49 (normally $99) – adding on an additional $350 savings should you take the opportunity.

Get the full rundown on what you can expect from this new model, as well as the pricing on its bundles in our original coverage here.

greenworks crossover-Z riding lawn mower

Get $2,200+ savings on Greenworks’ 60V Crossover-Z riding mower with six 8Ah batteries at a new $2,797 low

As part of its Prime Day Competitor Sale, Walmart is offering the best pricing yet on the Greenworks 60V Crossover-Z 42-inch Cordless Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower with six 8Ah batteries and three dual port turbo chargers at $2,797 shipped. Normally, this package would run you $5,600 direct from the brand’s website, where it’s currently marked down to $5,319, but fetches $4,997 at Walmart. The already significant difference in price only gets better with the $2,200 markdown we’re seeing during this sale that beats out all the pricing we’ve seen up until today to land it at a new all-time low. You won’t find this package at Amazon, where only the bundle with four 8Ah batteries is offered – plus, that’s sitting nearly $1,000 higher in price, so you’re getting a lot more here for a lot less.

Learn more about this riding mower in our original coverage here.

Aiper IrriSense smart irrigation system

Get $100 in first savings on Aiper’s IrriSense smart irrigation system that covers 4,800 square feet at $600

Through its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is offering the first chance at savings on its new IrriSense Smart Irrigation System at $599.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $100 off coupon, with the price matching direct from the brand’s website. This new device just hit the scene back in May with a $700 price tag, with the deal we’re seeing here from both Amazon and the brand’s direct site being the first chance at cash savings that we have tracked. You’ll be able to upgrade your irrigation with a smarter alternative at $100 off while it lasts, setting the bar for future deals down the line.

Learn more about this all-new release and what it can do in our original coverage here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Ford launches new $0 down, 0% interest summer sales promo and you get a free EV charger

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July 8, 2025

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Ford-summer-sales-promo

Ford has a new idea to help you save this summer: $0 down payment, 0% interest, and zero payments for the first 90 days. The new summer sales promo is available on most Ford and Lincoln models. Those buying an electric vehicle can also score a free home EV charger.

In April, Ford launched the “From America, For America” campaign, offering employee pricing to all. According to Ford, the offer helped make it the number one selling brand in America in the first half of 2025.

Despite the success, Ford is shaking it up for the second half of the year. Starting July 8, Ford is transitioning to its new “Zero, Zero, Zero” offer.

The summer sales promo features a $0 down payment, 0% interest for 48 months, and zero payments for the first 90 days on most Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

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Although the employee pricing plan turned out to be a success, Ford dealers said buyers could benefit from less out-of-pocket expenses.

Those shopping for an EV can also score a free home charge. Ford extended its Power Promise program through September 30.

Ford-summer-sales-promo
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)

The program offers buyers a free Level 2 home charger (plus standard installation) and other perks like 24/7 live electric vehicle support, roadside assistance, and an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Despite strong overall sales in the second quarter, Ford’s EV sales fell by nearly a third. Ford spokesperson Martin Gunsberg told Electrek the lower EV sales were due to the Mustang Mach-E recall and changeover to the 2025 model year. “Our dealers can’t sell what they don’t have,” he said.

Ford-summer-sales-promo
2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E (Source: Ford)

Although the Trump administration is ending the federal EV tax credit, you still have until September 30 to snag the savings on eligible models.

Ready to test one out for yourself? You can use our links below to find deals on the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning at a dealer near you.

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