Concluding his term as a special government employee, Elon Musk appeared at a White House press conference with President Trump sporting a black eye, which he attributed to his five-year-old son. This press conference marked the end of Musk’s time heading the Department of Government Efficiency, a role where he oversaw significant cost savings. Despite recent reports alleging Musk’s heavy drug use, he deflected questions on the matter and instead criticized the reporting news outlet. The event also saw Trump praise Musk and the positive impact of DOGE on government efficiency.
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Elon Musk is concluding his temporary role as a Special Government Employee, departing from his position with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Accompanying him in this departure is White House advisor Katie Miller, who will now work full-time for Musk. While Musk claims DOGE’s mission will continue to strengthen, he publicly criticized a recent bill passed by Congress, citing increased deficit spending. Miller’s husband, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, defended the bill, while praising DOGE’s accomplishments.
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Three top Pentagon aides were fired following a leak investigation led by Secretary Pete Hegseth, but the White House has lost confidence in the investigation’s findings. The investigation initially claimed an illegal NSA wiretap revealed the leaker’s identity, a claim later deemed untrue by White House advisors. This led to distrust and suspicion that the investigation was used to purge aides involved in internal office conflicts, rather than uncovering the actual leaker. The lack of credible evidence and the ongoing controversy surrounding the investigation create significant pressure on Hegseth. The situation remains unresolved, leaving Hegseth’s office severely understaffed and the Pentagon’s leadership in disarray.
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Scores of White House National Security Council (NSC) staffers, including career officials and political appointees, were dismissed Friday under new National Security Advisor Marco Rubio. This downsizing, delivered via email on a Friday afternoon, reflects an administration effort to reduce the NSC’s size, mirroring models advocated by former advisors like Brent Scowcroft. Two new deputy advisors, Andy Baker and Robert Gabriel, have been appointed. The cuts, while intended to streamline operations, have raised concerns among former officials about the impact on the NSC’s ability to effectively advise the President on complex national security issues.
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The Atlantic published a critical profile detailing Elon Musk’s waning influence within the Trump administration, citing a heated White House confrontation and escalating frustrations from administration officials. Musk responded aggressively on X, dismissing the article and its author, and mocking the publication’s owner. The article attributes Musk’s diminished role to a combination of failed political endorsements, unpopularity, and his abrasive management style. Despite his planned departure, the White House affirmed its commitment to continuing Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives.
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Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns about President Trump’s health, citing a recent comprehensive physical with “perfect results” and his strenuous Middle East trip as evidence of his fitness. She emphasized the President’s trust in his medical team at Walter Reed Medical Center. However, videos circulating online appear to show the President falling asleep during a recent official ceremony, prompting counterarguments regarding his health and fitness for office. Leavitt’s statements directly contrast with observations of the President’s apparent fatigue.
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The White House accused Axel Springer, the German parent company of Business Insider and Politico, of “foreign political meddling” following a Business Insider article comparing Donald Trump Jr. to Hunter Biden. The article detailed Trump Jr.’s involvement with 1789 Capital, an investment firm focusing on “anti-woke” businesses, raising potential conflict-of-interest concerns. The White House’s attack, using unusually strong language, prompted Axel Springer and Business Insider to defend their editorial independence. Subsequently, a lobbying firm dropped Axel Springer as a client, potentially illustrating repercussions from the White House’s actions.
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President Trump’s 2024 campaign included a promise to combat antisemitism, a commitment questioned by critics in light of recent revelations. An NPR investigation uncovered links between three administration officials and antisemitic extremist groups. This raises concerns about the presence of antisemitism within the White House. The report, by NPR investigative correspondent Tom Dreisbach, details these concerning connections.
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The Trump administration, despite publicly condemning antisemitism, employed several officials with demonstrable ties to antisemitic extremists. These individuals include a White House liaison with connections to a known Holocaust denier and a convicted “Nazi sympathizer,” a White House Office of Management and Budget official linked to a group supporting the Jan. 6 rioters, and a Department of Justice official who praised the convicted “Nazi sympathizer.” This pattern raises concerns about the administration’s commitment to fighting antisemitism, particularly given its use of antisemitism accusations against political opponents. Critics argue this represents a cynical exploitation of genuine concerns about antisemitism.
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During a commencement speech at the University of Alabama, President Trump boasted about shifting allegiances among Silicon Valley figures, specifically mentioning Elon Musk. He claimed that individuals who previously opposed him now express strong support, using the phrase “kissing my a–“. This comment follows a past public feud between the two, marked by mutual criticisms and a period of close collaboration. Despite a recent decrease in Musk’s physical presence at the White House, Trump indicated continued communication and influence.
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John Q. Hosedrinker