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The Doge monster that Musk bred may soon be set on him as his fallout with Trump unfolds

The Doge monster that Musk bred may soon be set on him as his fallout with Trump unfolds

IOL News6 hours ago
GET HIM! "Doge is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon (Musk)." That is what his former friend US President Donald Trump posted on social media as their fallout unfolded.​
​The gift that keeps on giving that is tech billionaire Elon Musk continued to 'entertain' the masses around the globe this week. And now following the passing of his former bestie's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' – central to the end of his bromance with US President Donald Trump – things are bound to get more interesting.
What's more, the American gubernatorial and state elections season is around the corner.
One social media user joked that the two billionaires should grow up and stop arguing 'nonstop over the smallest things – and the whole world ends up knowing about it'. But the 'smallest things' are also 'big, beautiful' and expensive – or 'insane' – things with a potential to disrupt the already chaotic American politics and global trade.
The very public and nasty feuding between the two previously inseparable "best friends forever" may be providing us all with free entertainment, but we must remember that it's the grass that suffers when elephants fight.
Unfortunately, all we can do is watch this soap opera whose most recent episodes involved Musk threatening to start a national political party to rival the Democrat-Republican 'uniparty' while Trump cautioned that he could set the Doge 'monster' on him and his electric car company.
"Doge is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon," Trump said in a social media post.​
I can't wait for that episode of this free reality show a social media user likened to a daily streaming of 'How Billionaires Argue'. But what would be ​more interesting for us stuck in beautiful but boring Mzansi would be to see our prodigal son deported back home. ​And that is not beyond Trump.
The two billionaires are neck-and-neck at the moment. Trump is still ruling the roost from the White House, while Musk seems to be playing his political cards well, using some valuable experience gained while supporting his old friend to the tune of over $200bn in last year's election race. But starting a new political party is not child's play, even for billionaires.
Bu​t expect some more terrible, horrible things to follow between these two in the coming days and months. Let's all just watch this tragicomedy – from a safe distance.
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Letters to the editor: We need a good attitude to work together and fix South Africa, no 'holier-than-thou' sentiments
Letters to the editor: We need a good attitude to work together and fix South Africa, no 'holier-than-thou' sentiments

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  • IOL News

Letters to the editor: We need a good attitude to work together and fix South Africa, no 'holier-than-thou' sentiments

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DA's grandstanding an 'insult' to the nation
DA's grandstanding an 'insult' to the nation

IOL News

time2 hours ago

  • IOL News

DA's grandstanding an 'insult' to the nation

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Steenhuisen's reaction to Whitfield's dismissal is a concrete example of the DA's duplicity. He was informed well in advance that this decision was on the table. Yet when it was implemented, he acted as if it were a surprise. He accused the president of undermining the coalition agreement. He dared to say that he feels disrespected and issued ultimatums. When the president refused to cower to their demands, the DA backtracked. Their desire for power was greater than their honour. Instead, they decided to withdraw from the National Dialogue. While there is disagreement on the cost and format, there is general acceptance that public engagement and ownership are essential for the collective acceleration of the country's socio-economic advancement. Having committed to the dialogue in writing, the DA is now dismissing it as a waste of time. This is a betrayal of the public and of the agreements that brought the unity government into being. 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He must reinforce the principle that no one is above the collective goals of unity, service and integrity. If he does, the country will follow. The time has come for calm, for order and for leadership that puts the people first. Let those who are unwilling to contribute step aside. Let those who are ready to serve do so with humility and focus. South Africa deserves nothing less. * Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.

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