Column: This is the trouble with Elon Musk’s debut as a federal budget negotiator
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Column: This is the trouble with Elon Musk’s debut as a federal budget negotiator

LA Times  

In the wake of a successful effort to kill a year-end spending bill and replace it with more limited legislation to keep the government open, Elon Musk declared victory last week on X, the social media platform he owns: “Your actions turned a bill that weighed pounds into a bill that weighed ounces!” he crowed. VOX POPULI VOX DEI.” The stopgap funding measure will largely delay major spending decisions until after Donald Trump’s inauguration, keep the government open through the holidays and at least temporarily delay the most indefensible spending that was crammed into the scale-tipping bill. Then there’s the idea that Musk’s minor budget victory proves his X followers are “the media now.” Huh? Lastly, Musk’s oft-repeated motto “Vox populi, vox dei” — “The voice of the people is the voice of God” — is theological nonsense.

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History of this topic

Elon Musk is just for 'show' — and big spending cuts won't happen: conservative columnist
5 days, 16 hours ago

Elon Musk is just for 'show' — and big spending cuts won't happen: conservative columnist

Raw Story  

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are making big claims about leading the Department of Government Efficiency, but one conservative columnist warns that it's all for show. It's all a show," wrote Dace Potas, who leads Lone Conservative, which purports to be the largest conservative student publication in America. The narrow Republican majority in Congress would mean that one or two …

Letters to the Editor: Elon Musk’s influence shows why we need campaign spending reform
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Letters to the Editor: Elon Musk’s influence shows why we need campaign spending reform

LA Times  

Elon Musk greets President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives to watch a SpaceX rocket launch in Texas on Nov. 19. Musk’s rise to political prominence and power is the result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s mindless decision in the 2010 Citizens United case, which enabled him to spend at least $250 million in support of President-elect Donald Trump. Coming soon …

Trump takes a swipe at close pal Elon Musk and reveals why the billionaire will 'never' be president
Trending News
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Trump takes a swipe at close pal Elon Musk and reveals why the billionaire will 'never' be president

Daily Mail  

President-elect Donald Trump took a swipe at 'first buddy' Elon Musk as critics question who is really in charge between the close pair as the 78-year-old prepares to return to the White House. President-elect Donald Trump claimed Musk is 'not going to be president' because he was born in South Africa as his critics question who is really in charge …

Wall Street Journal flames Trump and Musk over ‘budget fiasco’ and what it threatens for future
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Wall Street Journal flames Trump and Musk over ‘budget fiasco’ and what it threatens for future

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board has eviscerated Donald Trump …

Trump rejects taunts that Elon Musk is real power behind US president-elect
Trending News
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Trump rejects taunts that Elon Musk is real power behind US president-elect

Al Jazeera  

Statements come amid criticism of Musk’s involvement in budget negotiations, outsized role in Trump transition. United States President-elect Donald Trump has pushed back on the notion that he has “ceded the presidency” to billionaire Elon Musk, who has taken an outsized role in the president-elect’s transition into the White House. “He wasn’t born in this country.” The South African-born Musk …

In Arizona speech, Trump jokes Musk is ‘not going to be president’
Top News
2 weeks, 4 days ago

In Arizona speech, Trump jokes Musk is ‘not going to be president’

Politico  

Trump’s comments came as Democrats have sought to use Musk, the world’s richest person, as a foil, accusing him of undermining the incoming president. Just days before, Trump — along with Musk — intervened in House Republicans’ initial government spending package, leading to chaos as Congress raced against the clock to avoid a government shutdown. The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump …

Government shutdown: It's Elon Musk's world, and we're just living in it.
2 weeks, 4 days ago

Government shutdown: It's Elon Musk's world, and we're just living in it.

Slate  

This is Totally Normal Quote of the Day, a feature highlighting a statement from the news that exemplifies just how extremely normal everything has become. “This bill should not pass.” —Elon Musk writing on X about the stopgap government funding bill H.R. In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, as Congress was scheduled to pass a bipartisan spending bill that …

Trump team refutes ‘President Musk’s outsized influence on GOP
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Trump team refutes ‘President Musk’s outsized influence on GOP

Hindustan Times  

President-elect Donald Trump’s team has pushed back against claims that Elon Musk is wielding outsized influence within the Republican Party after the tech billionaire played a major role in derailing a key spending bill intended to avert a government shutdown. Early Wednesday, Musk denounced the bill on his social media platform X, warning, “Stop the steal of your tax dollars!” …

Musk ascends as a political force beyond his wealth by tanking budget deal
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Musk ascends as a political force beyond his wealth by tanking budget deal

Associated Press  

In the first major flex of his influence since Donald Trump was elected, Elon Musk brought to a sudden halt a bipartisan budget proposal by posting constantly on his X megaphone and threatening Republicans with primary challenges. “All that does is give the keys to these districts over to the Democrats.” Musk spent an estimated $250 million during the presidential …

'It costs money!' Some Republicans push back at Musk's pressure to shut down government
2 weeks, 6 days ago

'It costs money!' Some Republicans push back at Musk's pressure to shut down government

Raw Story  

WASHINGTON — Elon Musk’s dumb for a smart guy — at least according to Republicans questioning why the man promising to save the government trillions is on the glide path to costing it billions. “And then it costs money to open up the government.” Some Republicans on Capitol Hill fear Trump’s now following Musk’s lead — a move that has …

'President Musk' trends after Trump's top oligarch torpedoes federal spending deal
2 weeks, 6 days ago

'President Musk' trends after Trump's top oligarch torpedoes federal spending deal

Raw Story  

Congress is careening toward a government shutdown after U.S. President-elect Trump, egged on by billionaire Elon Musk—who helped bankroll Trump's reelection campaign and is slated to help oversee cuts to government spending and regulation in the new administration—torpedoed a federal spending bill that would have kept the government open for the next few months. These sorts of remarks continued Thursday, …

Democrats blast influence of ‘President Elon Musk’ over Trump amid spending deal row
Trending News
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Democrats blast influence of ‘President Elon Musk’ over Trump amid spending deal row

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Democrats have slammed Elon Musk after his opposition to House …

Political Reporter Says Elon Musk Is ‘Playing A Risky Game’ With Trump
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Political Reporter Says Elon Musk Is ‘Playing A Risky Game’ With Trump

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Wall Street Journal reporter Vivian Salama said Elon Musk is “definitely playing a risky game” by getting ahead of Donald Trump to tank a government funding bill. Democrats and other critics started calling Musk Trump’s “shadow president” on Wednesday after the billionaire Tesla CEO railed repeatedly against the bill in a social media spree, before the president-elect …

Trump, Musk wreak year-end havoc in Washington: Early signs of a volatile Trump 2.0?
3 weeks ago

Trump, Musk wreak year-end havoc in Washington: Early signs of a volatile Trump 2.0?

India Today  

US President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk have apparently unleashed chaos at the Capitol, with the duo seeking to derail a short-term spending compromise crafted by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, according to a CNN report. This bill should not pass https://t.co/3y7rZ23K4Z — Elon Musk December 18, 2024 Musk's criticism prompted Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance …

Elon Musk flexes his political muscle, sending government on path to shutdown
3 weeks ago

Elon Musk flexes his political muscle, sending government on path to shutdown

CNN  

New York CNN — During the Army-Navy football game over the weekend, Elon Musk posted a photo of the giant screen perched over the field showing four faces in focus. Since Musk began showing up by Trump’s side, memes of a “President Musk” have been flourishing online, and furious Democrats are starting to question whether Musk is a “shadow president.” …

Musk to hold talks with Republicans on sweeping spending cuts
1 month, 1 week ago

Musk to hold talks with Republicans on sweeping spending cuts

Raw Story  

Donald Trump's incoming government efficiency chief Elon Musk will meet Republican lawmakers next week to begin discussions about the tech billionaire's new commission tasked with cutting billions of dollars in federal spending. Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, said in a post on X he was looking forward to hosting Musk next Thursday, along with his …

Elon Musk mocks own government efficiency department with ‘I can’t believe DOGE is real’ post with laughing emojis
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk mocks own government efficiency department with ‘I can’t believe DOGE is real’ post with laughing emojis

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk has shared his own disbelief that the government …

A fine bromance: why the Trump and Musk partnership is here to stay
1 month, 2 weeks ago

A fine bromance: why the Trump and Musk partnership is here to stay

The Independent  

We’ve all been there. Then this week it was Elon’s turn to play host to Don, as Trump flew with him to Texas to witness a successful test launch of SpaceX’s Starship rocket. Donald Trump and Elon Musk tucked into a McDonald’s on their way to New York That’s the outcome some have predicted. To many it is no longer …

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s ‘budget cuts’ could spark constitutional clash in Trump presidency: Report
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s ‘budget cuts’ could spark constitutional clash in Trump presidency: Report

Live Mint  

When Elon Musk first proposed a new initiative to reduce the size of government, Donald Trump didn’t seem to take it seriously. His eventual name for the idea But now that Trump has won the election, Musk's fantasy is becoming reality, with the potential to spark a constitutional clash over the balance of power in Washington, reported AP, citing Elon …

Elon Musk’s budget crusade could cause a constitutional clash in Trump’s second term
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Elon Musk’s budget crusade could cause a constitutional clash in Trump’s second term

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — When Elon Musk first suggested a new effort to cut the size of government, Donald Trump didn’t seem to take it seriously. Now is the moment for decisive action.” Trump has already suggested taking such a big step, saying last year that he would “use the president’s long-recognized impoundment power to squeeze the bloated federal bureaucracy for massive …

Elon Musk to 'gameify' DOGE, create leaderboard for ‘insanely dumb’ spending of US tax dollars
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Elon Musk to 'gameify' DOGE, create leaderboard for ‘insanely dumb’ spending of US tax dollars

Firstpost  

Despite the playful acronym and meme-ready name, the mission is ambitious: combat government waste, fraud, and abuse, and make it an engaging public spectacle. Musk seems determined to ensure that this effort isn’t just impactful but also entertaining While DOGE sounds like a new department, it technically won’t be an official federal agency, as only Congress can establish those. Image …

Elon Musk wants to gut the federal government under Trump. What could that look like?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Elon Musk wants to gut the federal government under Trump. What could that look like?

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Trump’s ally and now Musk’s soon-to-be colleague Vivek Ramaswamy told The New York Times …

Elon Musk supports radical change in who controls America’s supply of money
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Elon Musk supports radical change in who controls America’s supply of money

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk signaled his support for abolishing the Federal Reserve …

What would ‘government efficiency’ look like if Elon Musk gets his way?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

What would ‘government efficiency’ look like if Elon Musk gets his way?

LA Times  

President-elect Donald Trump has given two wealthy entrepreneurs a mission that has eluded many other occupants of the White House: Make the U.S. government smaller and more efficient. Ramaswamy said during his run for the Republican presidential nomination that he planned to advance a “radical dream” that would cut three-quarters of a U.S government workforce that numbers about 2.2 million. …

Cost-cutting lessons from Musk world for DOGE
2 months ago

Cost-cutting lessons from Musk world for DOGE

Live Mint  

Lessons from the Elon Musk School of Management shed light on how the billionaire will go about slashing government spending in a new Trump White House. Little is known about how exactly President-elect Donald Trump will use the world’s richest man in his coming administration beyond proposing to appoint him to a new government efficiency commission, as “secretary of cost-cutting." …

Elon Musk Put Everything Into This Election. His Victory Lap Is Already Grotesque.
2 months ago

Elon Musk Put Everything Into This Election. His Victory Lap Is Already Grotesque.

Slate  

As election night projections looked increasingly favorable for Donald Trump, the tech titan who perhaps did more than anyone to shift Silicon Valley rightward, began taking his victory laps, first and foremost by replaying all his most ignominious hits. pic.twitter.com/SfWyi9kBWd — Elon Musk November 6, 2024 As ever, the “record usage of this platform” boasts should be taken with a …

Elon Musk wants to gut the federal government under Trump. What could that look like?
2 months ago

Elon Musk wants to gut the federal government under Trump. What could that look like?

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Deep cuts to the nation’s budget on top …

A Recent Timeline of Elon Musk Going All In on Trump
2 months ago

A Recent Timeline of Elon Musk Going All In on Trump

Wired  

Billionaire X owner Elon Musk has become one of former president Donald Trump’s most important financial backers, and certainly his most vocal in Silicon Valley, since endorsing him in July. For the final month of the US presidential campaign, Musk has been pulling out all the stops, going “all in” on getting Trump back into the Oval Office, both online …

Elon Musk’s ‘crazy’ plan to rip $2 trillion out of America
2 months ago

Elon Musk’s ‘crazy’ plan to rip $2 trillion out of America

The Telegraph  

Dressed all in black, Elon Musk let out a roar. At last week’s Madison Square Garden rally, the billionaire pointed to his black “Make America Great Again” cap proclaiming: “I am dark, gothic Maga.” Once a self-described “socialist”, Musk has emerged as one of Donald Trump’s most prominent and strident supporters in the final few weeks of the US election …

Musk's Financial Muscle: Shaping the Trump Campaign in a Game of Influence and Power
Trending News
2 months, 1 week ago

Musk's Financial Muscle: Shaping the Trump Campaign in a Game of Influence and Power

Hindustan Times  

Elon Musk's involvement in Donald Trump's campaign represents an unprecedented fusion of financial and technological power with political power in any modern democracy. While his contribution is best understood through the prism of his financial, organizational, and messaging power, his messaging power and ability to shape the broader news agenda and public discourse can alter the political conversation altogether.

Musk's Spending Cuts Plan: A Call for Fiscal Responsibility
2 months, 1 week ago

Musk's Spending Cuts Plan: A Call for Fiscal Responsibility

Live Mint  

Elon Musk outlines his plans to reduce federal spending if Donald Trump is re-elected. Musk proposes drastic budget cuts, aiming to eliminate $2 trillion from the budget and ensure long-term economic prosperity. He emphasizes the need for fiscal responsibility and believes that everyone will have to take a haircut to achieve this goal.

Elon Musk Says Trump Will Bring 'Temporary Hardship' For Americans
2 months, 1 week ago

Elon Musk Says Trump Will Bring 'Temporary Hardship' For Americans

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Former President Donald Trump’s biggest financial backer and top campaign surrogate, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, says he and Trump plan to inflict “temporary hardship” on American citizens if the Republican nominee wins the White House in November. Musk, the tech billionaire who has spent more than $130 million backing Trump and regularly spreads racist conspiracy theories about …

Exposed: Elon Musk's real reasons for going full MAGA for Trump
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Exposed: Elon Musk's real reasons for going full MAGA for Trump

Raw Story  

Tesla owner Elon Musk has spent his career cultivating the image of a provocateur who's driven by a passionate commitment to free speech and technological innovation—but a new report by consumer advocacy group Public Citizen makes the case that when it comes to Musk's political priorities, there's nothing unique or trailblazing about him. Since Musk's companies receive billions in government …

The inconvenient truth about Trump and Musk’s bromance
2 months, 2 weeks ago

The inconvenient truth about Trump and Musk’s bromance

The Independent  

To borrow the question famously posed by the late Caroline Aherne in character as Mrs Merton: “What first attracted Donald Trump to the multi-billionaire Elon Musk?” And, indeed: “What first attracted Elon Musk to the next prospective president of the United States?” These are legitimate questions, and their implications should trouble anyone concerned about the future of democracy in the …

With $75M gift, Musk joins right-wing billionaires bankrolling Trump campaign
2 months, 3 weeks ago

With $75M gift, Musk joins right-wing billionaires bankrolling Trump campaign

Raw Story  

Prominent members of the United States' billionaire class have shelled out massive sums in the final stretch of the 2024 campaign to elect one of their own, Republican nominee Donald Trump, to the White House, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk donating nearly $75 million in recent months to a super PAC supporting the former president's bid for a second term. …

Elon Musk hoped Trump would ‘sail into the sunset.’ Now he works frenetically to elect him
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Elon Musk hoped Trump would ‘sail into the sunset.’ Now he works frenetically to elect him

LA Times  

While he was building rockets and electric cars and becoming the world’s richest man, Elon Musk mostly stayed out of politics, donating relatively modest amounts to candidates from both parties and voting for Democrats for president, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden. With Trump back in the White House, Noble said, Musk could “call Trump and say: ‘DOJ should stop …

Trump: I’ll hire Elon Musk if I win election to save US money
4 months ago

Trump: I’ll hire Elon Musk if I win election to save US money

The Telegraph  

Donald Trump has said he will hire Elon Musk to save the US money by cutting government costs if he wins the November election. Mr Musk, who runs Tesla and SpaceX, revealed in August that he had suggested the idea of a commission to Mr Trump and said that he would be interested in serving on it. During a speech …

Trump could appoint Elon Musk to head committee axing ‘wasteful’ government programs
4 months ago

Trump could appoint Elon Musk to head committee axing ‘wasteful’ government programs

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump could appoint Elon Musk to head up a …

Elon Musk pledges $45 million to pro-Trump PAC: From Twitter troll to Republican megadonor.
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Elon Musk pledges $45 million to pro-Trump PAC: From Twitter troll to Republican megadonor.

Slate  

Elon Musk is a political animal. Then, the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk plans to contribute as much as $45 million a month to a new pro-Trump super PAC run by Silicon Valley conservatives Joe Lonsdale and the Winklevoss twins. One thing is certain about Musk’s political donations: If he’s spending the money, he’s looking at it as an …

From self-proclaimed ‘socialist’ to Team Trump and DeSantis: Elon Musk’s curious politics revealed
1 year, 7 months ago

From self-proclaimed ‘socialist’ to Team Trump and DeSantis: Elon Musk’s curious politics revealed

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Florida governor Ron DeSantis joked about the South …

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