US Election 2024

Musk Blocks Funding Deal, Triggers Government Shutdown

Elon Musk, opposing a bipartisan government funding bill, launched a social media campaign on X, disseminating misinformation about its contents and urging its defeat. His actions, amplified by his Department of Government Efficiency, successfully stalled the bill, which included disaster relief, farm aid, and infrastructure projects. This move directly challenged House Speaker Mike Johnson and aligned with President-elect Trump’s opposition. Failure to pass a new bill before December 20th will result in a government shutdown.

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Musk Called President as Trump’s Influence Wanes

A Republican-backed spending bill, including nearly $100 billion in aid, was blocked by President-elect Trump and Elon Musk, leading to calls for Musk’s unexpected influence. Their opposition, potentially causing a government shutdown over the holidays, stems from a desire for a significantly streamlined budget. Democrats are now openly referring to Musk as “president,” highlighting concerns about Trump’s apparent lack of control and the significant role of the unelected Musk. Lawmakers face a Friday deadline to pass a new bill, with the potential for severe budget cuts.

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Musk’s Influence: Unelected Billionaire Dictates GOP Policy, Trump Complies

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes highlights Elon Musk’s preemptive call for Republicans to trigger a government shutdown, asserting Musk’s influence surpasses even that of Donald Trump. This action positions Musk as a key player in Republican political strategy. Punchbowl News’ Melanie Zanona provides further analysis of this significant development. The event underscores Musk’s growing power within the Republican party and its decision-making processes.

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Trump’s Demands Sink Bipartisan Spending Bill, Threatening Government Shutdown

President-elect Trump unexpectedly rejected a bipartisan plan to avert a government shutdown, demanding renegotiation days before the funding deadline. This rejection, fueled by Trump and Elon Musk’s opposition, sent Congress into chaos, jeopardizing a bill including $100.4 billion in disaster aid and a congressional pay raise. House Republicans, facing pressure from Trump and facing internal divisions, struggled to craft a new solution before the Friday deadline. The situation highlights the difficulty Republicans will face in governing with unified control and their dependence on Trump’s approval for legislative success. The rejected bill also included provisions for infrastructure projects and the transfer of land for a potential new stadium.

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Trump Team Condemns Russian General’s Killing, Sparks Outrage

Former Trump administration official Keith Kellogg criticized the assassination of Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in Moscow, arguing that such actions, especially targeting high-ranking officers in their home country, may violate the laws of war and are strategically unwise. Kellogg noted the reported use of a recruited individual in the assassination, deeming the method ill-advised. While acknowledging the action as a regrettable aspect of warfare, he emphasized that it doesn’t inherently impede potential peace talks. The US previously distanced itself from the event.

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Trump’s Third Term Bid: Constitutional Crisis Looms

Steve Bannon’s suggestion that Donald Trump could serve a third term in 2028 is a deliberate provocation, ignoring the clear language of the 22nd Amendment, which explicitly limits presidents to two terms, regardless of whether they are consecutive. While hypothetical scenarios involving the vice presidency or speakership could be explored, they contradict the amendment’s spirit and would likely necessitate Supreme Court intervention. Ultimately, Bannon’s claim is demonstrably false and designed to incite his base while generating controversy.

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Judge in Hunter Biden Case Sued Over Underage Drinking Party, Assault

A lawsuit alleges that Judge Mark Scarsi and his wife negligently allowed underage drinking at a party at their home, resulting in a guest, Alex Wilson, being assaulted and suffering a traumatic brain injury requiring hospitalization and potential plastic surgery. The suit claims the Scarsis are liable for failing to supervise minors consuming alcohol at their Pasadena mansion. Wilson is seeking unspecified damages, while a separate claim against the assailant, Jackson Dorlarque, and his parents is also included. The incident involved numerous underage attendees from local high schools.

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Trump Reportedly to Block US Government and Military EV Purchases

The incoming Trump administration plans a sweeping rollback of electric vehicle (EV) policies, including eliminating EV subsidies and reclaiming federal funding for charging infrastructure. Further, the administration intends to block EV battery imports using national security as justification and prohibit federal and military EV purchases. This strategy aims to reverse current fuel efficiency standards, increasing allowable emissions by roughly 25 percent, and will likely involve increased tariffs on EV components globally. These actions directly contradict existing initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act and California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate.

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Zelensky Rejects Trump’s War Freeze Proposal

President Zelensky firmly rejected a ceasefire proposal, emphasizing to Le Parisien that Ukraine will not surrender its independence despite pressure for a swift peace deal from President-elect Trump. While acknowledging the need for diplomatic solutions and recognizing the impossibility of reclaiming all lost territory, Zelensky underscored Ukraine’s constitutional obligation to defend its sovereignty. Trump, aiming for a rapid end to the conflict, is reportedly planning negotiations involving compromises from both Kyiv and Moscow. However, Zelensky maintains that any agreement cannot come at the cost of Ukrainian independence.

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