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Politico
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Politico
7 Republicans stuck in the middle of the Trump-Musk divorce
The tension between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk finally burst into the open Thursday, likely closing the chapter on one of the most significant alliances in recent political history. In the wake of the schism, some Republicans are stuck in the middle debating their next moves. Do they side with Trump, the leader of the party whose influence and authority looms over so many aspects of life? Or do they back Musk, whose massive fortune could provide a boost to anyone running for reelection — or running to succeed Trump in 2028 — even as he threatens to withhold donations to lawmakers who back the Republican megabill? Could they attempt to appease both? Musk, 53, is already drawing a future-forward line between himself and Trump, 78, and urging Republicans to come to his side. 'Some food for thought as they ponder this question,' Musk wrote on X in response to far-right activist Laura Loomer wondering how Republicans would react. 'Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years.' Here are the Republicans who we're watching closely to determine how to navigate the fallout: The vice president and possible heir to Trump's political movement could be the biggest loser of the blowout. With Musk's future potential campaign contributions now in jeopardy, Vance, an expected 2028 presidential candidate, would have an incentive to mediate the relationship. Vance wouldn't want to jeopardize a donor relationship with Musk, but he also needs Trump's support if he wants to inherit his base. He will be constrained in how much he can realistically break from Trump if the feud continues. Musk appeared to endorse Vance in 'in an X post calling from Trump to be impeached and the vice president to take his place, suggesting their relationship remains intact for now. And the two appear to share some political stances, including supporting Germany's far-right party Alternative for Deutschland (AfD). In April, after it was first reported that Musk intended to leave the White House, Vance said he expected Trump and Musk to remain close, a seemingly lousy prediction in hindsight. 'DOGE has got a lot of work to do, and yeah, that work is going to continue after Elon leaves,' Vance said in April. 'But fundamentally, Elon is going to remain a friend and an adviser of both me and the president.' The Florida governor has had a tortured relationship with Trump, his former political benefactor-turned-2024 rival who bulldozed him during the presidential campaign. But since Trump took office, DeSantis has publicly supported the president and signed into law a Florida immigration law that furthered Trump's immigration agenda. He's also a big fan of Musk. Musk was an early booster of the Florida governor's failed presidential campaign, offering to host a glitchy, error-ridden launch event via X Spaces, the audio livestream feature on the Musk-owned social media site. Musk also contributed $10 million to DeSantis' campaign before he dropped out and endorsed Trump. In Musk's final week as part of the Trump administration, DeSantis praised his work leading the Department of Government Efficiency and echoed Musk's criticisms of the reconciliation package for not doing enough to reduce the deficit, calling the bill 'a betrayal of the voters.' He went further on Wednesday, singling out Musk in a fundraising solicitation. 'Elon Musk stood tall and took the hits to lead the fight on DOGE, cutting wasteful spending and exposing bloated government programs,' said a fundraising email Wednesday from one of DeSantis' political committees. 'The media attacked him. The Left panicked. But now? Even Republicans in Congress are backing down.' It's unclear what DeSantis' political future holds — he's term-limited as governor from 2026 — but Musk's backing could play a role in whatever he does next. A spokesperson for the governor's political operation said the fundraising language was approved May 29 — the day before Trump prepared to extol Musk during a friendly send-off at the White House. The Trump-Musk rift sets up some potential awkwardness between Stephen Miller, Trump's powerful deputy chief of staff, and his wife Katie Miller, who joined DOGE as an aide to Musk and left last week to work for the billionaire entrepreneur. The New York Times reported in January that Stephen Miller had been advising Musk on his political donations. But it's unclear if that relationship is still strong. And after Musk started attacking the Republican megabill, Stephen Miller became a staunch defender of the legislation. On Thursday, after Trump and Musk traded barbs, Musk appeared to unfollow Miller on X. If there was ever a path to peace between Trump and Musk, the Millers could play a role — or it could cause a rift in their marriage. Once tapped to co-lead DOGE with Musk, Ramaswamy split off from the administration before Inauguration Day and ultimately mounted a run for governor of Ohio. But the former presidential candidate, who raised his profile by passionately defending Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries, has always aligned himself with the cost-cutting, Libertarian brand of conservatism that Musk embraces. However, if Ramaswamy seeks to grow closer to Musk in the vacuum left by Trump when he leaves office, he'll have to overcome the fact that Musk thinks he's annoying. Sacks, a South African entrepreneur, came into Trump's orbit by way of Musk, and now heads artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency policy for the White House. But if the White House withdrawing Jared Isaacman's nomination to head NASA is any indication, Sacks may not be long for Washington. On the other hand, Trump's embrace of the crypto industry — and Sacks' role as crypto czar — could prove to be tempting enough for Sacks to side with the president against his longtime friend. As Trump and Musk clash over the reconciliation bill, Senate Republicans are left to pick up the pieces as they continue to argue over changes to satisfy at least 50 members and pass the bill. Tillis in particular is facing a tough reelection battle and could surely use strong support from Trump and Musk. On Wednesday — day two of Musk tweeting attacks against the bill — Tillis told CNN Musk is a 'brilliant guy,' while noting he's 'got resources.' With Republicans looking to approve the bill this summer, Tillis could be forced to take a side earlier than he might like. How he navigates the rift may offer a roadmap for other battleground Republicans ahead of 2026. Vance, DeSantis, Stephen Miller, Katie Miller, Ramaswamy, Sack and Tillis did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Merz avoids a blowup in the Oval, but Trump goes his own way on Russia
President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz papered over their differences, especially concerning the war in Ukraine, during their first face-to-face meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday. Merz, who just months ago responded to the administration's hostile approach toward Europe by asserting that the continent needed to gain 'independence' from the U.S., repeated to Trump that he needed the president's help to end the war in Ukraine and achieve the peace they both desire. The German chancellor said that he told Trump privately upon arrival that 'he is the key person in the world who can really do that — by putting pressure on Russia.' Merz was deferential as the two sat side by side, intent on avoiding the kind of awkward confrontation that has bedeviled other visiting world leaders. It appeared to work. Trump called Merz 'a very good man to deal with' and voiced optimism that he'd eventually reach 'a good trade deal' with the European Union. But in a riff that is sure to displease Merz and European allies, Trump suggested it might be good to let Russia and Ukraine continue fighting for a while, a marked turn from his many promises to end the war on his first day in office. Merz did not challenge the president and sat silently while Trump appeared frustrated with Ukraine over its surprise drone attack last weekend that took out a third of Russia's long-range bomber fleet. 'Something happened a couple of days ago,' Trump said, referring to the attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to retaliate, said Trump, who added that he shares the Russian leader's frustration with the attack. 'He's unhappy about it,' Trump said. 'I'm unhappy about it.' The congenial meeting with a new European leader followed the conclusion of what Trump described as a productive phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which he'd been angling to schedule for weeks. And it was hours after a flurry of executive orders imposing a full or partial ban on travel from 19 countries and launching an investigation into former President Joe Biden's term. Merz sat back as Trump held court, responding to questions about those matters, as well as the sudden criticism from former special adviser Elon Musk. And he avoided seeing the conversation delve into Germany's internal politics and the administration's oft-voiced frustration over the mainstream's condemnation of the far-right Alternative for Deutschland party, a subject that did not come up during the public portion of their meeting. But after a lengthy soliloquy blaming Biden for the war in Ukraine, Merz spoke up, praising Trump's instincts to bring peace to Europe while treading lightly around the subject of sanctions. When Merz reminded Trump that Friday marked the 81st anniversary of D-Day, when American forces invaded France in an attack that eventually turned the tide of World War II, Trump joked that 'that was not a pleasant day for you.' The German chancellor delicately acknowledged his country's Nazi history before underlining the point he hoped to make. 'In the long run, Mr. President, this was the liberation of my country from Nazi dictatorship. 'We know what we owe you,' he continued. 'This is the reason why I am saying that America is again in a very strong position of ending this war.' Hinting that he'd prefer to have a deeper discussion once the press had left the room, he added: 'We are looking for more pressure on Russia. And we should talk about that.' But Trump, who has tried to pressure both sides into peace talks, expressed a new comfort level with the war dragging on and even escalating in the near term — even as he made clear he has no plans to greenlight bipartisan legislation to impose secondary sanctions on Moscow any time soon. Trump said that the war was like 'two young children fighting like crazy … sometimes you're better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart,' and that he shared that analogy with Putin during their call on Wednesday. 'I said, 'President, maybe you were going to have to keep fighting and suffering a lot, because both sides are suffering before you pull them apart, before they are able to be pulled apart.'' Trump said he planned to wait to further sanction Russia until it became clear that peace was unachievable, suggesting in an aside that he could sanction Ukraine as well in the event that peace talks fail. 'When I see the moment when it's not going to stop, we'll be very tough,' Trump said. 'And it could be on both countries.' Trump, asked about the sanction legislation sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), claimed a lack of familiarity. 'I haven't looked at it,' he said, while also describing it as a 'harsh bill, very harsh' Merz demurred when asked if he agreed with Trump's analogy likening the fighting between Russia and Ukraine to two siblings wrestling, emphasizing only that he and the president agree about the importance of ending the war itself. 'We both agree on this war and how terrible this war is going on,' Merz said. 'We are both looking for ways to stop it very soon.'
ABC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
German spy agency labels far-right AfD party 'extremist'
Warning: This story contains as image of a person doing a Nazi salute. A far-right party in Germany has been labelled an "extremist" entity that threatens democracy by a German intelligence agency. The spy agency said it now had evidence the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party, which is the second biggest force in German parliament, works against the country's democracy. "The ethnicity- and ancestry-based conception of the people that predominates within the party is not compatible with the free democratic order," the domestic intelligence agency said in a statement. "It aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society, to subject them to treatment that violates the constitution, and thereby assign them a legally subordinate status." Polls show the AfD party has doubled its popularity since the 2021 federal election. ( Reuters: Karina Hessland ) A regional politician from the AfD referred to the party's classification by the agency as "politically questionable." "It is sad to see the state of democracy in our country when the old parties are now even using the most politically questionable means against the strongest opposition party," said Anton Baron. The move does not ban the party but aims to make it easier for authorities to use secret methods to monitor the AfD for example by recruiting confidential informants and intercepting communications. The stigma as well as restrictions on civil service employment could also make it harder for the party to attract members. 'Discriminates against entire population groups' The AfD represents an ethnic concept that discriminates against entire population groups and treats citizens with a history of migration as second-class Germans, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said, commenting on the agency's claims. "Their ethnic attitude is reflected in racist statements, especially against immigrants and Muslims," Ms Faeser said in a statement. The AfD does not consider German citizens of immigrant background from predominantly Muslim countries as equal members of the German people, it added. This approach led to individuals and groups being "defamed and vilified", stirring up "irrational fears and hostility toward them," it added. Loading YouTube content Germany's shift towards the far right The decision comes days before conservative leader Friedrich Merz is due to be sworn in as Germany's new chancellor and amid a heated debate over how to deal with the AfD in the new parliament. The party won a record number of seats which entitles it to chair several key parliamentary committees although it would still need the backing of other parties. Analysts said the decision risks further fuelling support for the AfD and its narrative that it is being sidelined by a "cartel" of established parties. The party has topped several polls since February's snap federal election, after the country's three-party coalition collapsed in November last year. The AfD doubled its share of votes since the 2021 election in what was the far-right's biggest win since World War II. US tech billionaire Elon Musk told supporters of the AfD that their party was "the best hope for the future of Germany", in video link at a rally of thousands in January. Tech billionaire Elon Musk backed the AfD at a rally in January. ( Supplied: Sean Gallup / Getty Images ) "It's good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything," Mr Musk said. Certain factions of the AfD such as its youth wing had already been classified extremist, while the party at large was classified a suspected extremist case in 2021. ABC/Reuters
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion: JD Vance and Usha's Strange Hard-Right, Same-Sex Political Bedfellows
Germany took an expected turn to the Right electing a conservative businessman to lead the country while an upstart far-right party, the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), claimed second place thanks in part to its unconventional leader, Alice Weidel, a hardliner on immigration who wants to close Germany's borders, and favors what she calls 'remigration,' a euphemism for mass deportation. An attractive blonde who has made turtleneck sweaters her trademark, Weidel and her party advocate for the traditional role of marriage as between a man and a woman. At the same time, the former investment analyst with a Ph.D. in economics is open about her wife, Sarah Bossard, a Sri-Lankan born filmmaker, and the two sons they are raising together. Weidel is heralded for giving her party a new more modern and cosmopolitan look. Her unconventional lifestyle is seen as an attribute, attracting young people to a party that most Germans recoil from, fearing an incarnation of the bad old days. A New York Times profile describes Weidel, 46, as someone who can be alternately charming and biting, and who speaks clearly and fluently 'even if it is without much empathy,' German political scientist Werner Patzelt told the Times. She is the future of the extreme right movement in her country, and once you know more about her, it makes perfect sense that Vice President JD Vance, while in Munich earlier this month, chose to meet with Weidel rather than the then German chancellor who was on his way out. They are kindred spirits. Two right-wing white leaders whose personal brand of wokeness welcomes diversity when it comes to picking a soul mate. They just don't want it mandated anywhere. When Vance was in Munich making his first foreign trip, he had his wife, Usha, and their three young children, accompanying him and attracting lots of oohs and ahs at the lovely family portrait. Reporters noted the children were already in their pajamas for the overnight flight to Europe, no doubt thanks to Usha. The daughter of immigrants from India, Usha Chilukuri was born in San Diego, California, grew up in an upper middle class suburb, attended Yale University and then Yale Law School, where she met Vance. Together they organized a discussion group on 'social decline in white America,' a topic that Vance, having come from a dysfunctional family in rural poverty, knew firsthand. Usha's presence in the public eye, though rare aside from the Munich trip, showcases a marriage that helps make the case that Donald Trump's party isn't against all diversity, just the kind that undercuts white America. In other words, it's good for business if you're in the business of politics. 'For whatever reason in this day and age, people attracted to this conservative movement don't really care if the leader is in on the deal or not,' says Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow and the director of the Center for Effective Public Management at Brookings. She credits Trump with forging the trail, noting his unwavering support from evangelicals in three straight elections despite his marital history and lack of churchgoing. 'In no way does he live up to the evangelical ideal. He's the one who started all this,' Kamarck told the Daily Beast, referring to the disjunction between a leader's lifestyle and what their supporters think they're supposed to have. As for Weidel, her grandfather was a Nazi party member and military judge in occupied Warsaw, but he died when she was 6. She claims to not know much about him. Her party, the AfD, more than doubled its support from the last elections, but remains something of a pariah. Weidel lives in Switzerland most of the time to keep herself and family safe from death threats. Even so, she has not backed off on the issues that drew support from Vance and from Elon Musk, who endorsed her for chancellor. They are on the same page in denying climate change and wanting to dismiss professors who teach gender studies and closing Germany's borders to immigration. Asked before the election how many nights she had spent at her German address, Weidel ended the interview rather than answer. Clearly, it's a sensitive subject for her while we here in America barely blinked a collective eye when we learned that Melania Trump will be spending the majority of her time as first lady between New York and Florida, returning to the White House only for big events. (Including the famous annual White House Easter Egg Roll, which, she announced in a rare statement on Thursday, will be held on April 21.) No word on whether she will pick up her 'Be Best' anti-bullying agenda—and who cares? This isn't what we're accustomed to, but it is modern. 'She has no intention of being a first lady,' says Kamarck. 'Who knows if that's a reflection on her husband or the job—maybe both.' Other things Trump is doing that evade categorization and potentially attract new voters, he is bringing Alice Marie Johnson to the White House as a 'pardon czar.' At the suggestion of Kim Kardashian, Trump pardoned the now 69-year-old Black woman in 2020 for a first-time nonviolent drug offense, and now he wants her to find others like her to pardon. Who can say no to that? Adding to the colorful cast of characters in the Trump White House is Rev. Paula White, who preaches the prosperity gospel, as head of a newly resurrected faith based office at the White House. The future of the extreme right in America shares more than ideology with what's happening in Germany and elsewhere. Everybody loves a good show.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Planet Normal: AfD election surge exposes deep political divisions across Germany
' The established parties are going to make the same mistakes, which is to ignore the people and stitch up power between themselves. When you've got [the] AFD taking around 40% of the working class vote, you can't ignore that.' On the latest Planet Normal podcast, which you can listen to using the audio player above, columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson speak to author Ross Clarke about his latest book, Far from Eutopia: How Europe is failing – and Britain could do better. They discuss missed economic opportunities of Brexit and the recent election in Germany where the Alternative for Deutschland gained around 40% of the vote. Political commentator Ross Clark believes the election outcome highlights growing dissatisfaction among German voters, particularly the working class, with the country's economic trajectory and immigration policies, and that Germany's elite had 'no real intention of addressing the fundamental concerns of the electorate.' One of the central themes of Ross' book discusses post war Europe, ' After the Second World War there's a fundamental difference in the European attitude to democracy, as opposed to the U.S; the European Convention on Human Rights is full of provisions of how to protect the people against themselves.' 'You cannot ignore what those people [voting for the AfD] were trying to say, which is that their economic and social model is not enriching them and we are going to have these high-minded established parties [saying] you are all fascists and therefore we're not going to let you in government.' Planet Normal, a weekly Telegraph podcast featuring news and views from beyond the bubble. Listen on the audio player above or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast app. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
