Latest news with #U.S.DepartmentofGovernmentEfficiency
USA Today
11-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Musk says he went 'too far' as wimpy billionaire begs Trump to rekindle bromance
Musk says he went 'too far' as wimpy billionaire begs Trump to rekindle bromance | Opinion You see, guys like Musk and Trump have long painted themselves as tough, despite all available evidence to the contrary. Show Caption Hide Caption Elon Musk says he regrets some post about President Trump Elon Musk says some of his posts about President Trump "went too far" during a public war of words. It didn't take long for billionaire soy boy Elon Musk to start groveling at the feet of President Donald Trump. The seemingly inseparable pro-tyranny twins had a very public breakup last week. But on June 11, Musk issued the following weak-kneed, beta-male statement on social media: 'I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.' The world's richest suck-up didn't specify which of his posts went too far. Was it the one hoping Trump gets impeached so Vice President JD Vance can take over? The one about Trump's tariffs leading to a recession later this year? Or maybe it was the one where you suggested the administration is covering up Trump's connection to convicted sex offender Jeff Epstein? Musk's weak apology to Trump isn't going to get the job done That's a lot of 'Oops!' to choose from, and Musk's vague regret made the whole thing sound, at the risk of offending the pro-Musk macho men of the man-o-sphere, kinda weak. You see, guys like Musk and Trump have long painted themselves as tough, despite all available evidence to the contrary. Opinion: Musk erupts, claims Trump is in the Epstein files. Who could've seen this coming? Fake tough guys like Musk and Trump rely on optics Errol Musk, the Tesla CEO's father, said of the Trump/Musk feud: 'Things have gone over the top, but this is the situation when alphas fight it out.' Last September, Musk shared a post on X claiming the best thinkers are 'high T alpha males' and stating: 'This is why a Republic of high status males is best for decision making.' As the head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, Musk equated himself to The Godfather, parading around in a 'Dogefather' shirt. Opinion: Musk calls Trump's bill an 'abomination.' I hate it when our two weird dads fight. Musk, like Trump, speaks loudly and carries a small stick Musk posted toughly in February that journalists from '60 Minutes' deserve 'a long prison sentence.' Tough talk, right? Tough guy then, I suppose. Or not. Alpha males never back down, right Elon? Musk reared up and attacked President Trump – a man so weak that Wall Street traders use the term 'TACO,' for Trump Always Chickens Out – and within a week, Musk is backpedaling. If there's one thing I've learned from reading manly posts by insecure, poorly-adjusted dudes on the internet, it's that alpha males don't backpedal. What are you going to do next to get back in Trump's good graces, Elon? Offer to toss a baton and dance in the military parade our totally-secure-in-his-masculinity president is throwing for his birthday this weekend? Perhaps Musk could buy back the Tesla he sold to Trump Are you going to offer to buy back the Tesla he bought from you at twice the retail price? Maybe name a rocket after him? (On second thought, don't do that. It would probably explode and then you'd have some SERIOUS groveling to do.) The bottom line is that 'I regret some of my posts' ain't gonna cut it, you little snowflake. You're going to have to emasculate yourself way more than that if you want to win your way back into the heart of a guy so faux-tough he sent the U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to battle a relatively small number of largely peaceful protestors. Fake toughness demands exaggerated weakness. Cry more, Elon. I know you've got it in you. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @ and on Facebook at
Indianapolis Star
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Trump-Musk feud shows why GOP can't actually balance the budget
The honeymoon phase of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's bromance has been waning for weeks, and now their relationship appears torn beyond repair just as publicly as it started. The pair exchanged blows on social media June 5, with Trump threatening on Truth Social to strip Musk's companies of subsidies, while Musk took credit for the 2024 GOP victory and took to X to accuse Trump of being on the Jeffrey Epstein list. This ridiculous escalation distracts from the real point at issue, though. Musk seems frustrated that Republicans used him in their charade to balance the federal budget, frustrated that Trump used him for his own end. But he really should be frustrated that he was so gullible – because he should have seen all of this coming. I'm frustrated that this is the only thing receiving attention, considering the amount of work that needs to be done with the budget. Whether Musk genuinely believed himself when he promised to cut $2 trillion (before quickly tempering that estimate) is up for debate. If he did believe it, he was entirely naive about both the current state of the Republican Party and our federal government. Republicans thought they could use Musk as a political win and distraction, allowing him to claw back government spending through the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, while congressional Republicans authorized massive deficit increases. Even after accounting for the economic growth that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would stimulate, it's projected to add $2.4 trillion (yes, with a T) to the federal deficit over the next decade. This figure stands as a mountain next to the small pile of $2 billion (yes, with a B) worth of verifiable budget cuts from DOGE. Hicks: Soaring national debt means cities need to prepare for cuts All the while, Republicans and Trump sang Musk's praises, knowing that they would turn around and spend money that we don't have. But Musk should have realized it was all a show. Trump skyrocketed the deficit in his first presidency, and every promise he's ever given for a balanced budget has been a lie. As much as MAGA likes to claim otherwise, Trump's GOP is no different than the swamp creatures they like to criticize. Those who are actually interested in cutting government spending, which I think Musk at least somewhat seems to be, should not attach the idea to political parties because they will inevitably disappoint. There hasn't been a genuine effort to produce a balanced budget since the late 1990s, and there isn't likely to be from either Republicans or Democrats anytime soon. I'm not the least bit surprised that these two narcissists' relationship flamed out so quickly. There was never enough room in Trump's White House for both his and Musk's personalities. Trump has never maintained an extended relationship with somebody who is willing to disagree with him publicly. During his first term, Trump had extremely high personnel turnover rates, both among his Cabinet and his aides. Trump's 'you're fired' catchphrase really says a lot about his approach to relationships. He is quick to turn on people who disagree with him or even just publicly embarrass him. Hicks: Indiana's startling Medicaid math forces unpleasant choices Musk has been loudly advocating against Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" for its impact on the deficit. After a week of Musk criticizing the deficit spending in Trump's bill, the president has clearly had enough. He cannot tolerate a dissenting voice from within his ranks. Trump and the GOP are now likely to kick a powerful ally to the curb, all because Trump is so vain that he cannot handle differing opinions. This is why the Republican Party is now made up of yes-men, because they have allowed Trump to push all the spine that he can out of the party. Now that the sideshow of Musk is gone, Republicans have one less thing to hide behind. I'm not sure that makes it any more likely they'll act responsibly, but at least it's more transparent to Americans now.
The Herald Scotland
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Musk turns on Trump, and GOP spending can't hide behind DOGE
Musk seems frustrated that Republicans used him in their charade to balance the federal budget, frustrated that Trump used him for his own end. But he really should be frustrated that he was so gullible - because he should have seen all of this coming. Opinion: Musk erupts, claims Trump is in the Epstein files. Who could've seen this coming? I'm frustrated that this is the only thing receiving attention, considering the amount of work that needs to be done with the budget. Republicans used Elon Musk as a political smokescreen Whether Musk genuinely believed himself when he promised to cut $2 trillion (before quickly tempering that estimate) is up for debate. If he did believe it, he was entirely naive about both the current state of the Republican Party and our federal government. Republicans thought they could use Musk as a political win and distraction, allowing him to claw back government spending through the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, while congressional Republicans authorized massive deficit increases. Even after accounting for the economic growth that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would stimulate, it's projected to add $2.4 trillion (yes, with a T) to the federal deficit over the next decade. This figure stands as a mountain next to the small pile of $2 billion (yes, with a B) worth of verifiable budget cuts from DOGE. All the while, Republicans and Trump sang Musk's praises, knowing that they would turn around and spend money that we don't have. But Musk should have realized it was all a show. Trump skyrocketed the deficit in his first presidency, and every promise he's ever given for a balanced budget has been a lie. As much as MAGA likes to claim otherwise, Trump's GOP is no different than the swamp creatures they like to criticize. Opinion: Elon Musk is frustrated with Republicans wasting DOGE's effort to cut. So am I. Those who are actually interested in cutting government spending, which I think Musk at least somewhat seems to be, should not attach the idea to political parties because they will inevitably disappoint. There hasn't been a genuine effort to produce a balanced budget since the late 1990s, and there isn't likely to be from either Republicans or Democrats anytime soon. Trump and Musk have too big personalities to work together I'm not the least bit surprised that these two narcissists' relationship flamed out so quickly. There was never enough room in Trump's White House for both his and Musk's personalities. Trump has never maintained an extended relationship with somebody who is willing to disagree with him publicly. During his first term, Trump had extremely high personnel turnover rates, both among his Cabinet and his aides. Trump's "you're fired" catchphrase really says a lot about his approach to relationships. He is quick to turn on people who disagree with him or even just publicly embarrass him. Musk has been loudly advocating against Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" for its impact on the deficit. After a week of Musk criticizing the deficit spending in Trump's bill, the president has clearly had enough. He cannot tolerate a dissenting voice from within his ranks. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Trump and the GOP are now likely to kick a powerful ally to the curb, all because Trump is so vain that he cannot handle differing opinions. This is why the Republican Party is now made up of yes-men, because they have allowed Trump to push all the spine that he can out of the party. Now that the sideshow of Musk is gone, Republicans have one less thing to hide behind. I'm not sure that makes it any more likely they'll act responsibly, but at least it's more transparent to Americans now. Dace Potas is an opinion columnist for USA TODAY and a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in political science.
USA Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Musk calls Trump's bill an 'abomination.' I hate it when our two weird dads fight.
Musk calls Trump's bill an 'abomination.' I hate it when our two weird dads fight. | Opinion Pairing two loony, conspiratorial billionaires like Donald Trump and Elon Musk never seemed likely to end well, especially since each has a severe allergy to the truth. Show Caption Hide Caption Elon Musk slams Trump's big tax bill on X Days after leaving the White House, Elon Musk slammed President Trump's big tax bill on X. Oh dear, America. It looks like we're about to witness a big, ol' raging-narcissist billionaire fight. Noted uber-rich-nuisance Elon Musk appears to have turned on his MAGA BFF President Donald Trump, declaring the president's absurdly named One Big Beautiful Bill Act, under consideration in the U.S. Senate, 'a disgusting abomination.' What the heck, Elon? Which part of 'Big' and 'Beautiful' do you not understand? 'The Disgusting Abomination Bill' is something Democrats would call it if they were clever enough to come up with a name like that and bold enough to use it. 'I just can't stand it anymore,' Musk whined about Trump's bill The builder of ugly electric trucks and rockets that go boom when they're not supposed to posted on X, 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.' He also posted: 'In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.' I HATE IT WHEN OUR WEIRD, SUPER RICH DADS FIGHT! Opinion: A letter to sad Elon Musk, from America ‒ 'Hey pal, sorry everybody was mean.' We all knew the Musk/MAGA breakup was coming Pairing two loony, conspiratorial billionaires like Trump and Musk never seemed likely to end well, especially because each has a severe allergy to the truth. After Musk bought Trump his second presidency and then, via destructive slash-and-burn work with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, turned his Tesla car brand toxic, it was clear he wanted to step away from politics and get back to failing at other things. But the recent 'Elon's leaving DOGE' fanfare seemed a bit like a divorce the White House was trying to sugarcoat. Then, on June 3, Musk had the audacity to call Trump's screw-the-poor, help-the-rich big, beautiful bologna bill disgusting. Opinion: Democrats want a liberal Joe Rogan to help them win elections. I'm right here. 'Elon is terribly wrong' That prompted GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson to say: 'With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the One Big Beautiful Bill.' While it's hard to take someone seriously when they, as an actual adult person, use the words 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' Johnson's clearly teeing his party up to pick a side, and Musk isn't going to like the side that gets picked. Musk's foray into politics may have shown him that politicians are bad With his billions and his ego and the many yes-people around him, Musk probably assumed he could bend politics to his will. He barnstormed through federal agencies, making an absolute mess of things while overpromising and underdelivering, just as he's done with Tesla and SpaceX. He also helped himself out on the federal contracts front, likely bringing billions of dollars to his own companies. But when it comes to tax breaks for billionaires and getting rid of things right-wingers don't like, like tax credits for electric vehicles!, Musk is no match for House Republicans. Their bill will spike the deficit. Musk and Trump are prime examples of why we shouldn't have billionaires And now it appears that Musk will complain loudly about the bill and possibly continue to threaten to go after the Republican lawmakers who vote for it. Trump, depending on which side of his bread he wants buttered, might lash back at Musk, giving Americans a front-row seat to a good old-fashioned stupid-off. And so it goes. Rich people are going to claim they did great things and then fight over whose thing is greater than the other guy's thing. It's typical. The rest of us will be left wondering, for the 10 billionth time, why people with this much damn money can't just be happy and shut up. Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @ and on Facebook at
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Unpacking rumor that Stephen Miller's wife, Katie, left him for Elon Musk
In late May and early June 2025, rumors swirled that the wife of White House adviser Stephen Miller, Katie Miller, had left him for tech magnate Elon Musk, who until then had served as the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency's public face. Some internet users even suggested that the affair had started with Stephen Miller's consent in an arrangement some described as a "throuple." For example, user @ on Bluesky relayed these claims: (Bluesky user @ The post read: Oh I am not sh**posting, folks. Stephen Miller, his wife, and Elon are widely rumored to be a throuple. Now Miller's wife is leaving the Trump team to be with Musk & LITERALLY PER THE NEW YORK TIMES Stephen is angrily subtweeting Musk. They actually put it in the paper of record that he was mad The post on Bluesky had received 7,600 likes and 3,200 reshares as of this writing. The same rumor appeared several times on Bluesky, but also on X, where the official account of the Democratic National Committee tagged Miller in its post of a single empty chair in a supposed hotel room in reaction to rumors that Miller's wife had left government to work for Musk in the private sector (archived): The empty chair represented a meme known as the "cuck chair," a chair on which someone supposedly sits while they watch their spouse have sex with someone else. This post had amassed 2.1 million views and 32,000 likes as of this writing, further spreading the unsubstantiated claim that Miller had cheated on her husband with Musk. Snopes has reached out to the Miller couple and Musk, seeking details. However, because we were not able to confirm or disprove the story, we have left it unrated. The rumor started as Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of SpaceX, announced his departure from DOGE. Bluesky user Snyder (to whom we have reached out for comment and await a reply) referenced a New York Times story published on May 28, 2025, which indeed referenced Miller criticizing Musk on X without naming him. Miller posted on X (archived) in response to Musk lambasting the "One Big Beautiful" budget bill the U.S. House of Representatives had voted on, which experts, including analysts at the Tax Foundation, said would cause the budget deficit to balloon. The article read: However, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, shot back at Mr. Musk on social media without naming him. Mr. Miller asserted that the bill would reduce the deficit — despite multiple independent analyses saying otherwise — and noted that the cuts made by Mr. Musk's team were unrelated to the spending bill. Lower down in the thread on Bluesky, Snyder linked to a story published on Feb. 27, 2025, in Wired, which Snyder said "strongly implied throupledom." The story explained that while Stephen Miller had assumed the position of White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, his wife had been appointed as "top communications official at DOGE," directly with Musk. Citing an anonymous Republican source, the story went on to suggest that this had been by design: The Millers are seen inside Trumpworld as glorified babysitters for Musk, tasked with ensuring he stays within bounds, insofar as that's possible. "He gets a lot of grace," the first Republican said of Musk. "Many people aren't nervous, because Stephen Miller is deeply involved. And Katie." This Republican compared Musk to a preteen child. However, the Wired story implied more salacious suspicions about the relationship between the Millers and Musk without making them explicit: Musk's relationship with the Millers has become a subject of great intrigue in Washington as DOGE continues to wreak havoc on the federal government. Little is known about how often they interact outside of work and how the relationship grew over the late stages of the campaign into the transition. "If you can find out anything about Stephen Miller's social life, I don't wanna know the answer," says a longtime Republican operative who knows the couple personally. Given the anonymous sourcing, Snopes was unable to independently verify Wired's reporting. We have reached out to Snyder on Bluesky asking if the user heard the rumor independently. However, on May 28, 2025, a CNN report that Katie Miller had left DOGE to work for Musk full time gave new life to claims that the relationship between Musk and the pair was more complicated than it seemed. Citing three unnamed sources, CNN said Miller was now helping arrange interviews for Musk. Snopes was unable to independently verify CNN's reporting because it was based on anonymous sources. Though several internet users took it to mean that she had left her husband, with whom she shares three children, the reality is that Katie Miller had the status of "special government employee," which precluded her working more than 130 days per year for the U.S. government. As such, she would have had to leave government work regardless of which job she took on after her stint at DOGE. While she did not confirm the story, she had reshared on X one post by Musk regarding his departure from the government, as well as a screen capture of one of his quotes about DOGE, suggesting she may indeed be working as his spokeswoman. Two days later, on May 30, 2025, Musk stood in the White House Oval Office, speaking to the press alongside U.S. President Donald Trump about his return to the private sector. Musk appeared with a bruise around his right eye. While Musk said he owed his black eye to his son, whom he said he had instructed to punch him, the internet once again lit up with speculation (archived): The post had gained 2.7 million views and 41,000 likes as of this writing. Snopes reached out to the Millers as well as Musk asking them to provide further details. We will update this report should they respond. "'Big Beautiful Bill' House GOP Tax Plan: Preliminary Details and Analysis." Tax Foundation, 13 May 2025, Accessed 2 June 2025. "Elon Musk Bids Farewell to White House but Says Doge Will Continue." BBC, 29 May 2025, Accessed 2 June 2025. Hamilton, Phillip. "Cuck Chair." Know Your Meme, 15 Nov. 2022, Accessed 2 June 2025. Klein, Betsy, et al. "May 28, 2025 - Donald Trump Presidency News." CNN, 28 May 2025, Accessed 2 June 2025. Lahut, Jake. "Elon Musk's Takeover Is Being Aided by a Trumpworld Power Couple." WIRED, 27 Feb. 2025, Accessed 2 June 2025. Pager, Tyler, et al. "Elon Musk, Distanced from Trump, Says He's Exiting Washington and DOGE." The New York Times, 29 May 2025, Accessed 2 June 2025. Pogue, David, and Joe Walsh. "Elon Musk Says He's 'Disappointed' by Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' and What It Means for DOGE." CBS News, 28 May 2025, Accessed 2 June 2025. Siddiqui, Faiz, and Frances Vinall. "Musk Explains His Black Eye, Says He Told Son X to Punch Him." The Washington Post, 31 May 2025, Accessed 2 June 2025. "Summary of Government Ethics Rules for Special Government Employees." 27 Aug. 2014, Accessed 2 June 2025.
