The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, was disbanded eight months earlier than scheduled after failing to meet its objectives. Despite the agency’s mission to cut government spending, DOGE wasted an estimated $21.7 billion in its first six months and oversaw a $220 billion increase in federal spending. The agency’s short tenure was marked by chaos, including the firing and subsequent rehiring of federal employees, frozen government projects, and questionable salaries for some staff members. Following Musk’s departure and policy disagreements with President Trump, many DOGE figures have been quietly reassigned to other federal agencies.
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X’s new “about this account” feature has revealed that numerous influential figures within the “Make America great again” (MAGA) movement are operating from outside the United States. This transparency tool exposes account locations, joining dates, and username changes, leading to the discovery of several right-wing influencers based in countries such as Russia, Nigeria, and India, despite presenting themselves as American patriots. User findings included prominent accounts like MAGANationX and IvankaNews, which were revealed to be based in eastern Europe and Nigeria respectively. The new feature has amplified ongoing concerns about foreign actors and misinformation on the platform, issues that have persisted even with the change in ownership and the introduction of AI chatbots like Grok.
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The article explores Donald Trump’s pattern of displaying a strategic “flirting” with handsome, younger men, often those he has previously attacked. This behavior, seen with figures like Emmanuel Macron and Zohran Mamdani, appears to be rooted in a desire for dominance, validation, and a perceived ability to influence others. Trump’s approach involves both verbal abuse and charm, strategically timed to gain concessions, project an image of power, or garner favorable media attention. This pattern extends to international leaders and political figures, suggesting that those who play along with Trump’s game may be able to advance their own goals.
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Lawmakers Mike Rounds and Angus King reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed them that the leaked 28-point peace plan for Ukraine was essentially a “wish list” originating from the Kremlin, not the U.S. government. The plan, which critics see as a demand for Ukrainian capitulation, includes provisions such as halving Ukraine’s military and recognizing Russian control of occupied territories. Despite denials from Rubio and the State Department, the administration has faced scrutiny for the plan, with even Special Envoy Steve Witkoff raising suspicion regarding its origins. Trump has since stated the proposals aren’t final, and is allowing Ukraine to respond by Thursday.
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Traditionally, American politicians attempted to cultivate a “regular guy” persona to appeal to voters, but Donald Trump disrupted this strategy by openly flaunting his wealth and distancing himself from common practices like diner visits. However, he also shared common grievances and complaints, creating a sense of relatability despite his wealth. Now, as president again, Trump is fully embracing the elite class, surrounded by wealthy figures and seemingly immune to accountability. This shift is further exemplified by his involvement in a scandal linked to Jeffrey Epstein, highlighting the culture of impunity enjoyed by the wealthy.
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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, despite maintaining his previous descriptions of President Trump as a “fascist” and “despot,” viewed their initial meeting as an opportunity to collaborate on lowering the cost of living for New Yorkers. The meeting itself was reportedly friendly, with both acknowledging their political disagreements while focusing on the shared goal of addressing affordability. During the discussion, they addressed Trump’s promises to lower costs and Mamdani’s conversations with Trump voters. Despite their history of conflict, Mamdani emphasized his commitment to delivering for New Yorkers and finding common ground, even discussing potential collaboration on various initiatives.
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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative spearheaded by Elon Musk during President Trump’s second term, has been dissolved with its functions absorbed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), according to OPM Director Scott Kupor. Musk’s departure and the subsequent exodus of staff were expected following the expiration of his contract. Despite DOGE’s claims of substantial savings, reports suggest inflated or overstated figures, and many former staffers have moved on to new roles within the government. Initiatives like the hiring freeze, implemented by DOGE, have also been discontinued.
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Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Las Vegas, presenting TSA agents with documents representing $10,000 bonuses. These bonuses, similar to those announced by Secretary Sean Duffy for air traffic controllers, were awarded to select employees. The Department of Homeland Security also announced a $1 billion investment to improve airport security and training. Criticism arose because a small percentage of the workforce received the bonuses despite all employees working without pay during the recent government shutdown.
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Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of Jamal Khashoggi, and Democratic members of Congress have called upon President Trump to release the transcript of his phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following Khashoggi’s murder in 2018. Rep. Vindman, who served on Trump’s National Security Council, has described the 2019 call as “highly disturbing” and urged for its declassification. Khashoggi’s widow and other critics have condemned Trump’s cordial reception of MBS and defense of Saudi Arabia, especially given US intelligence agencies’ findings that MBS ordered the murder. This call for transparency and justice comes amid continued arms sales to the kingdom, ongoing investigations, and potential business ventures that may present conflicts of interest.
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Further investigation has revealed that several prominent social media accounts with patriotic American themes are not operated from within the United States. Accounts such as “America First” and “MAGA Nation,” boasting hundreds of thousands of followers, are reportedly based in Bangladesh and Eastern Europe, respectively. Furthermore, a fan page dedicated to Ivanka Trump, with a million followers, appears to be managed from Nigeria. These findings raise questions about the true origins and potential influence of these accounts.
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John Q. Hosedrinker