Supreme Court allows DOGE team to access Social Security systems with data on millions of Americans
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court cleared the way Friday for the Department of Government Efficiency to access Social Security systems containing personal data on millions of Americans.
The justices sided with the Trump administration in its first Supreme Court appeal involving DOGE, the team once led by billionaire Elon Musk.
The high court halted an order from a judge in Maryland restricting the team's access to the Social Security Administration under federal privacy laws.
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Globe and Mail
44 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Amid the Turmoil, Is Now a Good Time to Buy Tesla Stock?
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) might be the most discussed stock in the history of stocks. You might think there's nothing new to be said -- and that investors should just buy it and hold on. But as someone who has been watching Tesla stock since its IPO in 2010, I think the forces moving the stock have changed a great deal in the last several years -- and I think the bull case for Tesla has some big problems. For starters, Tesla's sales aren't going in the right direction. But there's a deeper reason to think twice about Tesla stock as well. Tesla's car business is going in the wrong direction Not too long ago, it was still possible to believe that huge growth was inevitable for Tesla. The developed world was moving quickly toward a zero-emissions future, and Tesla had the best electric vehicles one could buy -- and it was scaling up to build millions more every year. What could go wrong? A lot, it turned out. Between CEO Elon Musk's foray into right-wing politics, Tesla's aging product line, and the growing number of excellent EVs from other automakers, Tesla's sales have been hit hard. Global sales were down 13% in the first quarter of 2025 from a year earlier. In Europe and China -- arguably the two most critical global markets for EVs right now -- they're down even further so far in the second quarter, while overall sales of EVs continue to rise. Musk's answer has been to make -- or at least talk up -- an aggressive pivot to robotaxis. Tesla has claimed that its service's costs will be far below market leader Waymo's, in large part because Tesla doesn't bother with the expensive lidar sensors that Waymo considers critical to safety. While an optimist might say that cost advantage will lead to market domination, a more realistic view is that Tesla is taking a huge safety risk by sticking with its camera-only system -- a risk that the robotaxi business could end abruptly in a single news cycle if something goes badly wrong. Of course, with Tesla's valuation currently hovering around $1 trillion (a mere 169 times its revenue over the last year), it's reasonable to think that total robotaxi market domination is already built into the company's share price. That's a problem if the robotaxi push goes awry. But the real problem with Tesla stock is that none of that matters much anymore. Tesla's stock price isn't really about its business now Tesla's valuation these days is mostly a reflection of how the popularity and success of Elon Musk is viewed in any given moment. It's very similar to the dynamics behind meme coins, cryptocurrencies that generally lack any purpose (or put another way, any fundamental value) beyond the cultural value they hold and the communities that surround them. As my colleague Anders Bylund recently wrote: Meme coins spotlight the power of community and sentiment in the digital age. Their value is largely driven by social media, celebrity endorsements, and the broader meme culture that thrives on the internet. Tesla does have some fundamental value, of course -- the car and energy-storage businesses, the (maybe) robotaxi business, and the (someday, maybe, perhaps) humanoid-robot business. But the car business, the part that has generated most of Tesla's revenue to date, is trending in the wrong direction. That's a situation that would drive the stocks of most other automakers down to just a few times earnings. It hasn't hit Tesla stock that way -- at least, not yet -- because of Musk's outsized public presence and huge promises. But take a step back: If your hope is to buy Tesla stock now and make a fortune, be aware that ship may have long since sailed. The only reason to buy Tesla now On the other hand, there's certainly a strong community around Tesla -- and a smaller, but still strong, community of those who remain very bullish on the stock and love to discuss its twists and turns. If joining that latter community appeals to you, a very small position in Tesla might still be worthwhile. But as a long-term investment, here in 2025 I think you owe it to yourself to find something sturdier than Tesla stock. Don't miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you'll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a 'Double Down' stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you're worried you've already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it's too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you'd have $367,516!* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you'd have $38,712!* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you'd have $669,517!* Right now, we're issuing 'Double Down' alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See the 3 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025
CTV News
44 minutes ago
- CTV News
Vance says Musk making a ‘huge mistake' in going after Trump but also tries to downplay the attacks
Elon Musk carries his son X Æ A-Xii as they arrives on Air Force One with President Donald Trump, left, at Miami International Airport, April 12, 2025, in Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Vice President JD Vance said Elon Musk was making a 'huge mistake' going after U.S. President Donald Trump in a storm of bitter and inflammatory social media posts after a falling out between the two men. But the vice president, in an interview released Friday after the very public blow up between the world's richest man and arguably the world's most powerful, also tried to downplay Musk's blistering attacks as an 'emotional guy' who got frustrated. 'I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible now because he's gone so nuclear,' Vance said. Vance's comments come as other Republicans in recent days have urged the two men, who months ago were close allies spending significant time together, to mend fences. Musk's torrent of social media posts attacking Trump came as the president portrayed him as disgruntled and 'CRAZY' and threatened to cut the government contracts held by his businesses. Musk, who runs electric vehicle maker Tesla, internet company Starlink and rocket company SpaceX, lambasted Trump's centerpiece tax cuts and spending bill but also suggested Trump should be impeached and claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president's association with infamous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. 'Look, it happens to everybody,' Vance said in the interview. 'I've flown off the handle way worse than Elon Musk did in the last 24 hours.' Vance made the comments in an interview with ' manosphere' comedian Theo Von, who last month joked about snorting drugs off a mixed-race baby and the sexuality of men in the U.S. Navy when he opened for Trump at a military base in Qatar. The vice president told Von that as Musk for days was calling on social media for Congress to kill Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' the president was 'getting a little frustrated, feeling like some of the criticisms were unfair coming from Elon, but I think has been very restrained because the president doesn't think that he needs to be in a blood feud with Elon Musk.' 'I actually think if Elon chilled out a little bit, everything would be fine,' he added. Musk appeared by Saturday morning to have deleted his posts about Epstein. The interview was taped Thursday as Musk's posts were unfurling on X, the social media network the billionaire owns. During the interview, Von showed the vice president Musk's claim that Trump's administration hasn't released all the records related to sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein because Trump is mentioned in them. Vance responded to that, saying, 'Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn't do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein.' 'This stuff is just not helpful,' Vance said in response to another post shared by Musk calling for Trump to be impeached and replaced with Vance. 'It's totally insane. The president is doing a good job.' Vance called Musk an 'incredible entrepreneur,' and said that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which sought to cut government spending and laid off or pushed out thousands of workers, was 'really good.' The vice president also defended the bill that has drawn Musk's ire, and said its central goal was not to cut spending but to extend the 2017 tax cuts approved in Trump's first term. The bill would slash spending but also leave some 10.9 million more people without health insurance and spike deficits by $2.4 trillion over the decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Musk has warned that the bill will increase the federal deficit and called it a 'disgusting abomination.' 'It's a good bill,' Vance said. 'It's not a perfect bill.' He also said it was ridiculous for some House Republicans who voted for the bill but later found parts objectional to claim they hadn't had time to read it. Vance said the text had been available for weeks and said, 'the idea that people haven't had an opportunity to actually read it is ridiculous.' Elsewhere in the interview, Vance laughed as Von cracked jokes about famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass' sexuality. 'We're gonna talk to the Smithsonian about putting up an exhibit on that,' Vance joked. 'And Theo Von, you can be the narrator for this new understanding of the history of Frederick Douglass.' The podcaster also asked the vice president if he 'got high' on election night to celebrate Trump's victory. Vance laughed and joked that he wouldn't admit it if he did. 'I did not get high,' he then said. 'I did have a fair amount to drink that night.' The interview was taped in Nashville at a restaurant owned by musician Kid Rock, a Trump ally. Article by Michelle L. Price.
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
Yemen's al-Qaida branch leader threatens Trump, Musk and others
Published Jun 07, 2025 • 3 minute read This wanted poster from the U.S. State Departments' Rewards for Justice program shows al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula leader Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki. Photo by State Department / AP DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The leader of al-Qaida's Yemen branch has threatened both U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip in his first video message since taking over the group last year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The half-hour video message by Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki, which spread online early Saturday via supporters of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, also included calls for lone-wolf militants to assassinate leaders in Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Arab states over the war, which has decimated Gaza. The video of al-Awlaki's speech showed images of Trump and Musk, as well as U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of State Pete Hegseth. It also included images of logos of Musk's businesses, including the electric carmaker Tesla. 'There are no red lines after what happened and is happening to our people in Gaza,' al-Awlaki said. 'Reciprocity is legitimate.' Yemen's al-Qaida branch long thought to be most dangerous Though believed to be weakened in recent years due to infighting and suspected U.S. drone strikes killing its leaders, the group known by the acronym AQAP had been considered the most dangerous branch of al-Qaida still operating after the 2011 killing by U.S. Navy SEALs of founder Osama bin Laden, who masterminded the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In 2022, a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan killed bin Laden's successor, Ayman al-Zawahri, who also helped plot 9/11. The Sept. 11 attacks then began decades of war by the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq, and fomented the rise of the Islamic State group. Al-Awlaki already has a $6 million U.S. bounty on his head, as Washington says al-Awlaki 'has publicly called for attacks against the United States and its allies.' He replaced AQAP leader Khalid al-Batarfi, whose death was announced by the group in 2024. Israel-Hamas war a focus of the Houthis as well AQAP seizing onto the Israel-Hamas war follows the efforts of Yemen's Houthi rebels to do the same. The Iranian-backed group has launched missile attacks on Israel and targeted commercial vessels moving through the Red Sea corridor, as well as American warships. The U.S. Navy has described their campaign against the Houthis as the most intense combat it has faced since World War II. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Trump administration also launched its own intense campaign of strikes on the Houthis, which only ended before the president's recent trip to the Middle East. The Houthis' international profile rose as the group remains mired in Yemen's long-stalemated war. Al-Awlaki may be betting on the same for his group, which U.N. experts have estimated has between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters and passive members. The group raises money by robbing banks and money exchange shops, as well as smuggling weapons, counterfeiting currencies and ransom operations, according to the U.N. The Shiite Zaydi Houthis have previously denied working with AQAP, a Sunni extremist group. However, AQAP targeting of the Houthis has dropped in recent years, while the militants keep attacking Saudi-led coalition forces who have battled the Houthis. 'As the Houthis gain popularity as leaders of the 'Arab and Muslim world's resistance' against Israel, al-Awlaki seeks to challenge their dominance by presenting himself as equally concerned about the situation in Gaza,' said Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen expert of the Basha Report risk advisory firm. 'For a national security and foreign policy community increasingly disengaged from Yemen, this video is a clear reminder: Yemen still matters.' Olympics Sunshine Girls NHL Ontario Sunshine Girls
