Readers sound off on the Trump/Musk rift, anti-ICE protests and Diddy's abuse

Yahoo

2 days ago

Dartmouth, Mass.: Being the richest man in the world does not appear sufficiently ego-gratifying for Elon Musk. Observing his recent involvement with the Trump administration, with his destructive actions leading the DOGE crusade to disrupt or destroy American governance, one wonders what his motivation is. Is it financial gain, media attention or a quest for power? Or is it a grand plan conceived by a man with a deep psychological disorder?
Musk's recent severe criticism of President Trump's legislative agenda is perhaps the first salvo in his plan to save America from the conflagration he ignited and helped enlarge. Is the grand scheme to now be the white knight who comes to the rescue and douses the flames, thereby becoming the hero who saved America?
The legislative and judicial branches of government have either enabled, been enriched by or ignored the destruction occurring to American democracy. Musk can now assume the role of hero by utilizing his enormous resources to defeat Trump's agenda by threatening to 'out-primary' any Republican legislators who continue to support the president.
Trump has certainly provided a roadmap by imposing or threatening tariffs, or defunding and then dowsing the flames with a change of course, thus appearing as though he's coming to the rescue of America. Musk has far more personal resources and grasp of political strategy than Trump, and may have greater aspirations as he interjects himself into the politics of Brazil, Germany and the United States. Betty Ussach
Glendale: From the ancient text 'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu, it is said, 'All war is based on deception.' The same applies to the accusations of division now viewed as front-page news regarding Trump versus Musk. Such antics create a storyline that hurts people. Also stated in the book: 'There's no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.' Our country is experiencing a period of adjustment whereby deception has been made to separate us. The lesson from the book stipulates, 'There are times when you have to forgive your enemies and love them as your own.' Hatred never ends if people embrace only what makes them comfortable. Jonathan Kiddrane
Brooklyn: Let me get this straight. TACO man sits on his hands when his criminal cultists storm the Capitol, but he unleashes the National Guard on peaceful protesters? When is this madness going to end? Don't tell me America is not in the midst of a constitutional crisis. June Lowe
Staatsburg, N.Y.: Trump deploys the National Guard for individuals who are protesting in Los Angeles. Rioters attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 and the National Guard was not deployed, then the rioters were pardoned. What's wrong with this picture? I really hope no one tries to explain this to me, because it's obvious that this so-called president has no idea how to run this joke of a country that the United States has become. Glenn Marowitz
Manhattan: Joe Biden thought he needed woke approval to be reelected. Woke devotees created sanctuary cities and no immigrants could be deported. That and no bail for repeat criminals was the end for Biden and the Dems. They would not allow the bad apples to be vetted and deported. Trump had a royal straight flush in this game of hold 'em. An inexperienced Vice President Kamala Harris only added to the pot. Trump got elected and decided to deport everyone. All those righteous people are now thrown in with the criminals. These uprisings in California are just the beginning. We will soon see violent terrorist operations carried out secretly. People like AOC and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams are responsible. Fascist Trump is smiling and licking his lips as if he just had a jelly donut. There are no strong Dems to counteract him. We are in big trouble. Michael Malewich
Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J.: There were a few letters in yesterday's edition questioning why ICE agents cover their faces. Simple answer: Same reason the protesters do — to avoid discovery. Protesters want to evade arrest and prosecution. ICE agents want to protect their families and selves from retaliation. The liberal justice system would most likely free the criminals while ICE agents face physical retaliation. Robert Stiloski
Bronx: Where is the outcry from the left demanding that protesters remove their masks? More importantly, where is their condemnation of the violence and destruction taking place? Those who take part in destructive mobs should be held accountable and required to pay for any damages caused. Even a simple act of assault or resistance against a federal officer can carry up to a year in jail. Enforcing the law consistently is essential to stopping this wave of violence. Al D'Angelo
Smithtown, L.I.: Voicer Katherine Raymond agrees with democratic-socialist ideas such as taxing the rich but, like almost all liberals, 'the rich' are anyone making more than her. She shows her hand by questioning how anyone can think a household income of $1 million qualifies as rich. Is she kidding or is this a misprint? Andrew Ross
Bronx: As a 48-year Belmont/Little Italy resident, community advocate and 37-year NYC Board of Education/Department of Education educator and parent, it has become abundantly clear that neither Rafael Moure-Punnett, the rest of Bronx Community Board 6, The Belmont BID or, as of yet, any of our local politicians have shown a genuine or active interest in the safety and wellbeing of the children, teenagers or families in our neighborhood in regard to the completely unchecked speeding that has been going on for more than a decade one block from our local elementary, middle and high schools. Despite the Department of Transportation claiming to have done a study in this area, one of their representatives would not provide the time or date they did so, yet insisted that their conclusion had been there was no need for a traffic light on the corner of this highly dangerous intersection. Jeff Vargon
Peekskill, N.Y.: To Voicer John Weiss: Wrong you are! On page 24 in Friday's Daily News, there was an article on the 81st anniversary of that momentous day ('WWII vets are still toast of Normandy even 81 years later,' June 6)! I guess it appeared in my paper and no one else's. Steven Bevacqua
Pleasantville, N.Y.: To Voicer Nick Smith: My letter wasn't saying that criticism of Israel is always antisemitic, it was more about why Israel is the only country heavily criticized for fighting terrorism. Every year, when Yom Haatzmaut, which is known as Israeli Independence Day, and the Salute to Israel Parade come up, I always hear a bunch of anti-Israel fanatics calling it Nakba Day as an insult. Had the Arabs just accepted the UN Partition Plan back in 1947 rather than attack the Jews that day, there wouldn't be such issues now. As for me living where I do, it was because my father had a major job transfer when I was an infant that brought my family here. If you really believe in giving land back to indigenous groups, then give your property to the Native American tribe that originally lived there. Tal Barzilai
Staten Island: So far, everything I have read or seen about Sean 'Diddy' Combs shows that he is rich, controlling and a bully. No matter what, people's lives have been ruined. I hope he can't buy his way out of this. Thomas Bell
Bronx: To Voicer Stephanie Revander: You do not disagree with what I said, but how I said it. I could have made my point and saved four words by leaving out 'run-of-the-mill.' In retrospect, I should have stated that while some rapists can be reformed, that does not include those who brutally beat and/or choke their victims unconscious. They should serve life. Richard Warren