logo
US agency spent millions to house illegals in luxury hotels

US agency spent millions to house illegals in luxury hotels

Russia Today11-02-2025

Elon Musk has accused the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of unlawfully spending $59 million on luxury hotel accommodations for undocumented migrants. He called for the funds to be recovered immediately, insisting that the money should have been allocated for disaster relief instead.
Musk, now one of US President Donald Trump's key advisors and head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), attacked FEMA on X on Monday for allegedly misusing millions of dollars in taxpayer funds to house illegal migrants in high-end hotels in New York City.
'The DOGE team just discovered that FEMA sent $59M LAST WEEK to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal migrants,'
he wrote.
'That money is meant for American disaster relief and instead is being spent on high end hotels for illegals!'
Musk, who as the head of DOGE has taken the lead on seeking ways for the federal government to cut costs and reduce the workforce, called the expenditure a
'gross insubordination'
defying a presidential executive order and said the money would be clawed back.
The billionaire provided no evidence to support his claim, and it was unclear where the $59 million figure came from.
READ MORE:
Trump readies overhaul of US emergency agency
Meanwhile, New York City officials stated that the funds it received for migrant care were appropriated by Congress and allocated to the city by FEMA last year.
Cameron Hamilton, the agency's acting administrator, reposted Musk's comments and said the payments had been suspended as of Sunday.
'I want to thank the DOGE team for making me aware of this,'
Hamilton posted.
'Effective yesterday these payments have all been suspended from FEMA. Personnel will be held accountable.'
FEMA Spokeswoman Liz Garcia told ABC News the city hasn't been informed of any funding pause, adding that reimbursements from the federal government had continued through last week. The matter will be addressed directly with federal officials, she said.
Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with FEMA, even suggesting scrapping it during a recent trip to disaster areas in North Carolina and California. Upon assuming office in January, he signed an executive order establishing a review council to evaluate the agency, citing concerns over its response to recent disasters.
Despite committing nearly $30 billion in disaster aid annually for the past three years, FEMA has left vulnerable Americans without the support they need in critical times, according to Trump.
FEMA, established in 1979, is responsible for coordinating the federal government's response to natural and man-made disasters. The agency has faced criticism over the years for its handling of various emergencies, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Riots over immigration raids in LA continue despite curfew (VIDEOS)
Riots over immigration raids in LA continue despite curfew (VIDEOS)

Russia Today

timean hour ago

  • Russia Today

Riots over immigration raids in LA continue despite curfew (VIDEOS)

Protests in Los Angeles over federal immigration enforcement raids have continued despite a curfew and US President Donald Trump's authorization of National Guard and Marine deployments. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, groups of rioters continued to gather downtown as mass arrests were initiated. The protests erupted on Friday after federal agents detained several individuals as part of Trump's immigration crackdown. Mass demonstrations quickly escalated into riots, widespread looting, vandalism, and violent clashes with police. Videos online showed protesters torching police cars and US flags, blocking highways, waving signs condemning Trump's immigration policies, and carrying Mexican flags. Nearly 400 arrests have been reported, with several hundred protesters and multiple law enforcement officers injured. 4) Protesters continued to march and drive around Los Angeles well past the 8pm curfew, although it was unclear where exactly the line was drawn as to the zone of left a wake of graffiti like "f*** ICE" in their path. In response, LA Mayor Karen Bass announced a curfew that took effect Wednesday night from 8pm to 6am, covering a one-square-mile area in downtown LA. Prior to this, Trump deployed at least 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to protect federal officials, law enforcement, and government property. #BREAKING Los Angeles, California About a dozen rowdy people playing with the cops, LAPD is getting good practice with these guys,Curfew Worked,Arrests worked - however a lot of them moved into Long Beach to protest. But LA is calm for the exception of a couple people. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment as unlawful and filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of violating state sovereignty. WATCH: LAPD continues to mobilize in downtown Los Angeles as the anti-ICE protest and riots continue, despite Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordering a temporary curfew.@TPUSA | @ Trump defended the federal response, calling the protests 'a full-scale assault on peace and public order,' and rioters 'agitators and troublemakers.' 7-Eleven store took on the anti-ICE rioters in LA and employees' relentless and righteous resolve created the opportunity for a rare sane protestor to make the insane rioters feel defeated enough to move on. 'Somebody is paying for it,' he said, claiming that the demonstrations were being funded by outside groups. Speaking at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Wednesday, Trump advised Newsom to 'get his act together' and try to calm the unrest, while calling for jail time for protesters who burn US flags. President Trump calls for a 1-year prison sentence for those burning the US flag. He previously did so on the campaign trail. 'People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year. And we'll see if we can get that done,' Trump said, adding that his administration is working with senators to pass the legislation. Trump has so far left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, one of the most extreme emergency powers available to a president, which allows the military to be deployed inside the US to suppress rebellion. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Trump said 'we will see' when asked about invoking the Insurrection Act.

Biden administration investigated Musk's foreign contacts
Biden administration investigated Musk's foreign contacts

Russia Today

time3 hours ago

  • Russia Today

Biden administration investigated Musk's foreign contacts

US federal agencies investigated foreign nationals visiting Elon Musk's properties during the administration of former President Joe Biden, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The investigation, conducted by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice from 2022 to 2023, reportedly did not result in any charges. They focused on individuals from Eastern Europe and other regions 'who might have been trying to influence' Musk, the outlet said. The tech tycoon has access to classified US information through his companies' government contracts but was reportedly not granted clearance for some of the most sensitive secrets tied to SpaceX. In 2022, he stepped into national politics by acquiring Twitter – now known as X – whose management he accused of suppressing conservative viewpoints on the platform. In 2024, Musk used his wealth and clout to support Donald Trump's bid to reclaim the presidency. Until recently, he served as a special member of the Trump administration with a mandate to reduce government waste. Their alliance appeared to unravel last week after they exchanged insults online over a crucial spending bill. The WSJ claimed that Musk's repeated interactions with non-Americans raised concerns among his political allies. A source within the political action committee that Musk formed to support Trump told the newspaper that staff 'had to institute extensive vetting to keep foreigners out.' Prior to Trump's election victory last November, the newspaper also alleged that Musk had been in covert contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin – which it characterized as a potential national security issue. Both Musk and the Kremlin have denied the report. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it 'absolute lies,' stating last October that the only conversation between Putin and Musk was a single phone call years ago regarding technological innovation. Following his fallout with Trump, some Democratic officials speculated that Musk – who has said he previously voted for Democratic candidates – might shift his support away from the Republican Party. Musk, however, has floated the idea of launching a third party representing 'the 80% in the middle.'

Musk's father comments on son's spat with Trump (VIDEO)
Musk's father comments on son's spat with Trump (VIDEO)

Russia Today

time15 hours ago

  • Russia Today

Musk's father comments on son's spat with Trump (VIDEO)

Errol Musk has weighed in on the public feud between his son, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, and US President Donald Trump, telling reporters in Moscow that the two may yet find common ground. The dispute between Musk and Trump – once close allies – escalated last week over the president's so-called 'Big Beautiful' tax and spending bill. Musk, who recently stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had repeatedly criticized the bill, arguing it undermines his efforts to trim the fat off the federal budget. On Thursday, he accused Trump of 'ingratitude,' backed calls for his impeachment, and threatened to halt the US space program by grounding the Dragon spacecraft. Trump fired back, saying Musk had 'gone crazy' and blaming the spat on the end of what he called the 'EV mandate' – a reference to federal incentives that had benefited Tesla. Musk responded with a now-deleted post linking Trump to deceased financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking to journalists in Moscow on Monday, where he was attending a tech forum, Errol Musk suggested that his son's strong response was rooted in principle, but added there may be room for compromise. 'I think Elon might agree to step down a little … because he's basically standing up for his principles,' the elder Musk said. Errol Musk said his son had backed the Trump administration, believing it would cut government spending, not increase it, and that the shift in direction left him frustrated, as it went against the values he had agreed to support. The 79-year-old pointed out that government policy often requires compromise and long-term thinking. 'In politics, sometimes you have to spend money on products you have yet to make, because that money later helps increase production. It's the laws of economics,' Errol Musk explained. He added that both men may now be taking a more mature view of the situation – and hinted that a thaw in relations could be possible.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store