
Rubio slams Biden admin for secretly tracking Americans' posts as 'disinformation vectors' - The Economic Times Video
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed in a Cabinet meeting that the Biden administration's State Department maintained secret dossiers on Americans accused of spreading disinformation—including a Trump official. Rubio said the Global Engagement Center monitored citizens' social media, labeling them disinformation 'vectors.' He vowed to hand over those files. VP JD Vance joked about being watched, while Rubio emphasized that true transparency and free speech—not censorship—are the best tools against disinformation.

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Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
'No hard feelings': Donald Trump responds to Elon Musk's apology after intense feud; JD Vance tries to ease tensions
Musk-Trump US President Donald Trump has welcomed Elon Musk 's apology following their very public online feud, saying he holds 'no hard feelings' after the billionaire admitted he had gone 'too far' in his criticism. 'I thought it was very nice that he did that,' Trump told the New York Post during an interview on Wednesday, after Musk posted a late-night message on his platform X saying, 'I regret some of my posts about President Donald Trump last week. They went too far.' The spat between the two began last week when Musk unleashed a string of harsh social media comments, accusing Trump of blocking the release of government files related to the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Musk also claimed that Trump wouldn't have won the 2024 election without his support and called the president's major tax bill a 'disgusting abomination.' Musk's attacks followed his departure from the government's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). After stepping down, he called for Americans to 'kill the bill' in Congress, warning it could 'cause a recession in the second half of the year.' The bill includes tax cuts and increased defence spending and passed the House last month. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Trump hit back, calling Musk 'crazy' and accusing him of suffering from 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.' He also threatened to review SpaceX 's federal contracts, reportedly worth around $38 billion. Despite the heated exchange, Trump appeared open to reconciliation. 'Look, I have no hard feelings,' he told columnist Miranda Devine on her 'Pod Force One' podcast. 'I was really surprised that that happened. He went after a bill that's phenomenal. I think he feels very badly that he said that, actually.' Efforts to patch things up have already begun behind the scenes. US vice president JD Vance and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles reportedly spoke to Musk on Friday in an attempt to ease tensions. While it remains unclear if Musk personally contacted Trump, some reports suggest he may have called the president earlier this week. Trump declined to say whether he was ready to fully reconcile but left the door open. 'I guess I could, but we have to straighten out the country,' he was quoted as saying to the Post. 'And my sole function now is getting this country back to a level higher than it's ever been. And I think we can do that.' Musk has been a major donor to Trump's campaign and had previously been viewed as a close ally. However, their falling out led to calls for Musk's deportation from former Trump adviser Steve Bannon and sparked debate across political circles.


Hindustan Times
34 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
What is ‘No Kings' protest? Movement planned against Trump during Army's 250th anniversary parade
Opponents of President Donald Trump's administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the military parade in Washington for the Army's 250th anniversary — which coincides with Trump's birthday. The 'No Kings' protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trump's plans to feed his ego on what is also his 79th birthday and Flag Day. The Army birthday celebration had already been planned. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to ratchet up the event to include 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. He has long sought a similar display of patriotic force. ALSO READ| What is 'No Kings Day'? Trump's expensive DC birthday military parade to face massive protest across US The 'No Kings' theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement. Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the now former leader of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called for Trump to be 'dethroned' as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president. 'They've defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,' the group says on its website, referring to the Trump administration and its policies. 'They've done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.' The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a press release from No Kings. It is happening to counter the Army's 250th anniversary celebration — which Trump has ratcheted up to include an expensive, lavish military parade. The event, will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be his 79th birthday and Flag Day. 'The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,' the No Kings website says. 'On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he isn't — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.' Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, according to the No Kings website. No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, where the parade will be held. The group says it will 'make action everywhere else the story of America that day.' No Kings plans instead to hold a major flagship march and rally in Philadelphia to draw a clear contrast between its people-powered movement and what they describe as the 'costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade' in Washington, according to the No Kings website. People of all ages are expected to come together in the protest locations for speeches, marching, carrying signs and waving American flags, organizers said in a call Wednesday. On the group's website it says a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with them. Weapons of any kind should not be brought to events, according to the website. ALSO READ| Donald Trump launches $5 million immigration 'gold card' visa signup site The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.


United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
U.S. partially evacuate embassy staff from Iraq
Houston, June 12 (UNI) Non-essential U.S. embassy staff and their dependents have been ordered to leave Iraq due to unspecified security risks, sources from the U.S. State Department said. "Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq," the State Department said in a statement on Wednesday. "We are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies," it added. Aslo on Wednesday, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the voluntary departure of U.S. military dependents from the Middle East. The security risks leading to the ordered departure from Iraq are not immediately clear. According to media reports, Iran recently threatened to strike U.S. bases in the region if negotiations over Iran's nuclear program fail. U.S. President Donald Trump told a podcast on Wednesday that he was growing less confident in reaching a nuclear deal with Iran. "I don't know," Trump told the "Pod Force One" podcast when asked about talks over the Iran nuclear program. "I don't know. I did think so, and I'm getting more and more - less confident about it." Later on Wednesday, when asked why families of U.S. military personnel were authorized to leave the Middle East, Trump said, "You will have to see." White House special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi this weekend for a sixth round of nuclear talks. UNI XINHUA ARN