St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, is closing its X account due to significantly declining user engagement and concerns regarding misinformation, negative discourse, and content moderation challenges. This decision, unanimously approved by city council, follows a staff recommendation highlighting Facebook’s superior performance as a communication tool. The city is exploring alternative platforms, such as Bluesky, and this action mirrors similar decisions by other public bodies and municipalities. The move is not solely attributed to Elon Musk’s ownership but rather the overall effectiveness and suitability of the platform for city communications.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt falsely claimed during a press briefing that Judge James Boasberg, who temporarily blocked Trump’s deportation of migrants, was a “Democrat activist” appointed by Barack Obama. NBC News correspondent Garrett Haake corrected Leavitt, noting Boasberg’s appointment by George W. Bush. Leavitt deflected by citing the number of injunctions against President Trump, framing the judge’s actions as part of a broader effort to obstruct the administration’s agenda. This instance marks Leavitt’s third fact-check from PolitiFact in just two months.
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Following Elon Musk’s sharing of a false report claiming Ayo Edebiri’s casting in a *Pirates of the Caribbean* reboot, Edebiri received a torrent of online abuse, including death threats and racial slurs. The false report originated from a right-wing account with no industry credibility, yet Musk’s endorsement fueled the harassment. Edebiri’s public condemnation of Musk’s actions highlights the dangerous consequences of spreading misinformation and the actor’s subsequent support from Bill Burr. A *Pirates of the Caribbean* reboot is in development, but Edebiri’s involvement was entirely fabricated.
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Elon Musk’s claim of half a trillion dollars in waste and fraud in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is drastically inflated, exceeding even the highest estimates from government watchdogs by orders of magnitude. His comments, including calling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” demonstrate a concerning lack of understanding and animosity towards these vital programs. Further, Musk’s actions within the federal government, including widespread firings and pursuit of sensitive data, raise serious concerns about his competence and motives. His history of spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories, including racist rhetoric, underscores the urgent need for his removal from any position of influence.
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The viral debate video, showcasing a clash between a liberal commentator and several MAGA supporters, serves as a stark illustration of the seemingly insurmountable chasm separating opposing political viewpoints in the current climate. The exchanges highlight a profound disconnect, not simply on policy, but on fundamental understandings of reality itself. The video underscores the difficulties, and perhaps the futility, of engaging with individuals who vehemently reject basic facts and evidence.
One particularly striking exchange involved the assertion that government agencies don’t pay taxes. The MAGA supporter’s adamant denial of this elementary civic principle reveals a troubling disregard for factual information. This isn’t merely an isolated incident; it reflects a broader pattern observable across various interactions – a resistance to basic critical thinking and a preference for confirmation bias.… Continue reading
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial statement advocating for widespread measles infection sparked outrage. He argued that contracting measles could confer better overall health outcomes, a claim directly contradicting established scientific consensus on the disease’s dangers. This statement highlights the spread of misinformation within certain political circles regarding vaccination and public health. Public health officials strongly condemn this viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of vaccination to prevent severe illness and death. The statement underscores the ongoing challenge of combating vaccine hesitancy.
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During a White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt touted the Trump administration’s economic policies as ushering in a “golden age” for American manufacturing, despite the Dow Jones experiencing a significant real-time drop shown on Fox News. Leavitt dismissed the market downturn as a temporary “snapshot,” blaming the Biden administration for the current economic situation. She asserted that President Trump’s “America First” policies would ultimately benefit American workers through fair trade practices. This optimistic assessment contrasted sharply with the ongoing market decline and growing recession fears.
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Elon Musk’s recent attack on Senator Mark Kelly, calling him a “traitor” for visiting Ukraine, has sparked a significant backlash. The senator’s trip, his third to the war-torn country since 2023, seems to have particularly angered Musk, who has a documented history of pro-Russia sentiments. The sheer audacity of the accusation against a decorated veteran and sitting senator is remarkable.
This isn’t just a spat between two prominent figures; it highlights a deep divide in how Americans view the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and their alliances abroad. Musk’s accusation, particularly coming from someone who has publicly communicated with Vladimir Putin, seems deeply hypocritical to many.… Continue reading
Russian soldiers attempting to infiltrate Ukrainian positions near Kursk by using a gas pipeline as cover, as reported by online bloggers, presents a fascinating and ultimately tragic case study in military miscalculation. The initial reports painted a picture of cunning Russian tactics, suggesting a daring and unconventional approach to bypassing Ukrainian defenses. The image conjured up was one of soldiers silently maneuvering through the pipeline network, emerging unexpectedly to strike at vulnerable targets.
However, the reality, as depicted in subsequent comments, seems far grimmer and less strategic. It appears the initial reports significantly oversimplified the event, focusing solely on the initial, albeit ill-conceived, plan.… Continue reading
Vice President JD Vance reported being confronted by pro-Ukraine protesters in Cincinnati, claiming his young daughter was frightened by their shouts. Protesters dispute his account, presenting video evidence suggesting a more spontaneous encounter where Vance engaged in a discussion about the war in Ukraine and US aid. Critics condemned Vance’s portrayal of the event, highlighting his role in perceived failures of US support for Ukraine and accusing him of using his daughter as a shield. This incident follows previous confrontations with protesters, fueled by Vance’s actions surrounding a controversial Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood