Despite previously stating his withdrawal from politics, Elon Musk re-entered the fray via social media, criticizing the Senate’s debate on President Trump’s policy bill and threatening primary challenges against members of Congress who voted for it. Musk, arguing the bill constitutes excessive spending and debt increase, even floated the idea of forming a new political party, the “America Party.” In response, Trump issued a threat to use the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) against Musk, highlighting the subsidies Musk has received. This public disagreement marks a shift, as Musk had previously supported Trump and Republican candidates, but now views the bill as detrimental to the country’s financial stability and future industries.
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The Independent is committed to providing in-depth reporting, and at a critical time in US history, it’s essential to analyze facts and messaging. Elon Musk has publicly criticized the “big, beautiful bill” by Donald Trump and the Republican Congress, vowing to fund primary challenges against any lawmaker who voted for the legislation. The bill aims to extend the 2017 GOP tax cuts and fund a massive expansion of mass deportation efforts, facing opposition from Musk due to concerns over increased national debt. Musk’s criticisms have been a significant departure from his previous close relationship with Trump, marking a shift in their dynamic.
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Palantir Technologies, a company founded by Peter Thiel, is at the intersection of AI assets, the US military, data collection for the Trump regime, and elements of Silicon Valley pushing for a shift away from democracy. Palantir uses AI to analyze personal data, and it was chosen to compile a super-database of information from various government agencies, potentially to advance political agendas. This move raises concerns, as former employees and some Republicans worry about the potential for misuse. Behind Palantir’s selection are figures like Elon Musk, who has worked closely with Thiel, who have contributed vast sums of money to political causes that appear to devalue democracy.
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Iran’s parliament has voted to ban Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, escalating its crackdown on outside influence following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes. The new law, which also tightens espionage rules, criminalizes Starlink use and introduces severe penalties, including fines, flogging, or up to two years in prison. This move reflects Tehran’s concern over Starlink’s role as a crucial digital connection during internet blackouts, potentially providing a lifeline for dissidents and circumventing state censorship. The legislation is expected to be approved soon, leading to enforcement targeting users and those collaborating with perceived adversaries, such as the U.S. and Israel.
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Elon Musk has criticized President Trump’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill” on X, calling it “utterly insane and destructive.” Musk argues the bill will destroy jobs, harm future industries, and lead to unsustainable debt, including a $5 trillion increase to the debt ceiling. He further asserted that the bill is “political suicide” for Republicans, citing polling data reflecting negative public sentiment. Musk’s condemnation follows similar criticism earlier in the month, and contrasts with the bill’s provisions to extend Trump’s tax cuts and raise the government’s borrowing authority.
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Tesla’s European sales experienced a fifth consecutive monthly decline in May, plummeting 28% across 30 countries despite overall electric vehicle market expansion. This poor performance contradicts CEO Elon Musk’s prediction of a “major rebound” following factory retooling, and investors are now anticipating a sales boost from a planned cheaper model later in the year. The sales slump has been particularly notable in Germany, where Musk’s public support for a far-right party has likely impacted sales, and SAIC Motor surpassed Tesla in European sales. Tesla’s recent struggles coincide with the launch of its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, which is under scrutiny following videos of safety issues.
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In an effort to downsize the federal workforce, the Trump administration initiated layoffs and voluntary retirements, but many of these actions have been reversed. Agencies are now rehiring employees and ordering others back from leave to fill critical gaps in services. This backtracking highlights a loss of expertise and capacity within the government, which experts fear could lead to serious issues. Several departments, including Health and Human Services and the National Weather Service, have rehired numerous employees, driven by the need to maintain essential services, while the administration is still implementing its “reduction-in-force” plans.
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Elon Musk accuses President Trump’s aide, Sergio Gor, of committing a federal crime by falsifying his birthplace on federal forms, a claim stemming from a broader feud between Musk and Gor. This accusation follows reports questioning Gor’s own security clearance despite his role in vetting thousands of employees. Musk’s allegations are fueled by a previous falling out with Gor, who allegedly played a role in derailing Musk’s friend’s nomination to lead NASA. The White House maintains Gor is a trusted advisor with proper security clearance.
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Elon Musk publicly denounced White House aide Sergio Gor, calling him a “snake,” following a report revealing Gor’s lack of a full security clearance despite his role in vetting thousands of employees. This feud stemmed from Gor’s alleged role in derailing Musk’s friend’s NASA nomination, fueled by a prior grievance stemming from a public rebuke by Musk. Gor, a close Trump Jr. ally, reportedly celebrated Tesla stock declines and orchestrated the nomination withdrawal after Musk’s White House tenure ended. Musk subsequently worked against Trump’s budget bill, escalating the conflict significantly.
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Elon Musk criticized his AI platform, Grok, for accurately reporting that right-wing political violence has been more frequent and deadly since 2016, citing incidents like the January 6th Capitol riot. Musk labeled Grok’s response a “major fail,” claiming it was parroting legacy media despite Grok acknowledging that left-wing violence, while less lethal, is also rising. Grok’s response included caveats about reporting biases and the difficulty of precise attribution. The criticism followed a recent politically motivated shooting in Minnesota that killed two Democratic lawmakers.
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John Q. Hosedrinker