ProPublica’s investigation reveals that the U.S. State Department, under direction from Secretary Rubio, actively pressured four African nations—Gambia, Djibouti, Cameroon, and Lesotho—to expedite Starlink licensing. Diplomats leveraged potential aid cuts and other governmental pressures to influence these decisions, showcasing a close coordination between the State Department and Starlink. This campaign, framed as promoting U.S. interests and countering Chinese influence, involved direct lobbying by ambassadors and threats of funding reductions for non-compliance. The push for Starlink’s rapid expansion aims to secure a significant technological advantage over global competitors within the next 18 months.
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Voters promised $100 by a Musk-affiliated political action committee are reporting they haven’t received their promised payment. The situation has sparked a wave of online commentary, ranging from outrage at the alleged broken promise to mockery of those who believed it in the first place. Many commenters express disbelief that anyone would expect payment for their vote, highlighting the perceived absurdity of the situation.
The lack of payment has been met with a mixture of anger and amusement. Some commenters argue that the voters were foolish to believe the promise, labeling them “suckers” and “idiots” for expecting payment from someone with a history of questionable business practices.… Continue reading
A Rasmussen Reports/Heartland Institute poll reveals that 54% of likely voters would support imprisoning Elon Musk for his role in the Department of Government Efficiency, with 71% of Democrats and 80% of liberals in favor. Conversely, 54% of Republicans and 57% of conservatives oppose such a law. A majority also support banning Musk from government service, highlighting significant partisan divisions in public opinion regarding Musk’s efforts to improve government efficiency. The poll also shows a decline in Musk’s favorability rating since March.
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Regulatory scrutiny of Elon Musk’s companies significantly diminished following the Trump administration’s commencement. Numerous investigations, including those concerning SpaceX, Tesla, and Neuralink, experienced delays or outright termination, coinciding with changes in leadership and policy within relevant federal agencies. A Senate report detailed at least 65 potential federal actions against Musk’s companies totaling $2.37 billion in potential fines before Trump took office, yet his companies have continued to receive substantial government contracts, exceeding $38 billion over two decades. Despite these findings, the White House refuted claims of any misuse of position for personal gain.
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Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter was fired from her position after the Copyright Office released a report expressing concerns about AI’s use of copyrighted material. This followed the firing of the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden. Rep. Joe Morelle criticized the firing as an unlawful power grab, suggesting it was related to Perlmutter’s refusal to endorse Elon Musk’s plans to utilize copyrighted works for AI training. Perlmutter’s dismissal comes amidst President Trump’s strong support for AI development and initiatives.
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Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cancelled over $220 million in government contracts, many of which were later reinstated by federal agencies. Despite DOGE’s website inaccurately listing these contracts as terminated, the White House attributes the discrepancies to paperwork delays. While DOGE claims significant savings, the reversals highlight the challenges of making sweeping budget cuts, impacting government services and contractors. These actions have raised concerns about the effectiveness and accuracy of DOGE’s cost-cutting initiatives.
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Discussions surrounding a significant Republican bill saw President Trump initially advocate for increased taxes on the wealthy, a proposal he later abandoned. However, the idea of taxing the rich resurfaced yet again in subsequent deliberations, highlighting the fluctuating nature of the policy’s inclusion within the bill. This demonstrates the ongoing internal debate and shifting priorities within the Republican party on the issue of tax reform. The final version of the bill ultimately reflected the evolving stance on taxing high-income earners.
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Bill Gates sharply criticized Elon Musk’s actions, blaming him for jeopardizing global health initiatives through drastic cuts to US development aid. These cuts, implemented through Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” resulted in expiring essential supplies and potential disease resurgence. Gates cited the halting of HIV prevention programs as a particularly egregious example of Musk’s misguided decisions. Despite this, Gates announced a significant acceleration of his own philanthropic efforts, committing to spend over $200 billion over the next two decades before closing the Gates Foundation in 2045.
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In a protest video by British activist group Led By Donkeys, 98-year-old World War II veteran Ken Turner drove a Sherman tank over a Tesla, symbolizing the crushing of fascism. This action directly targets Elon Musk’s alleged support for far-right European political parties, a move criticized for undermining democracy. The stunt follows previous campaigns against Musk by Led By Donkeys and a German group, highlighting growing European opposition to Musk’s political involvement. Decreasing Tesla sales in Europe further underscore the negative impact of Musk’s actions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood