Latest news with #ResoluteDesk
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How Musk's Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly Happened in Front of Our Eyes
For all the time he spent in the Oval Office, the richest man in the world is foreign born, and one thing he can never do is sit at the Resolute Desk as the elected most powerful man in the world. But Elon Musk was able to buy his way into becoming the 'First Buddy' and for a time he was able to bond his ultimate wealth with President Donald Trump's ultimate power. Trump allowed Musk to take a chainsaw to federal agencies with the promise he would cut trillions in federal spending. Trump believed Musk could do it and hereby make room for the big tax cuts that are the primary goal of the president's 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' Trump promises the BBB and a host of tariffs will lead to a 'golden age' protected by a 'Golden Dome' run from an Oval Office newly adorned with gold leaf. In this bonding of money and power, Musk declared his affection for Trump as a teenager might, via social media. In his instance, on a platform he bought for $44 billion in 2022, changing the name from Twitter to X. 'I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man,' Musk posted in February. Musk often brought along the toddler son he also named X to the Oval Office. The boy picked his nose during one visit and wiped the result on the Resolute Desk. The famously germaphobic Trump was seemingly so enthralled with Musk's money and online sway that he said nothing and simply had the desk refinished. But however successful Musk had been as a businessman, he fell far short with his Department of Government Efficiency, which the whole country came to know as DOGE., His young minions created maximum chaos while achieving a small fraction of the promised savings, often ignoring the law as they did it and then falsely reporting the results. Decent and devoted civil servants who had devoted their working lives to serving the public were dismissed as useless bureaucrats by DOGE goons with nicknames like 'Big Balls.' As Musk's association with such reckless cruelty impacted Tesla's business, Trump sought to boost it by displaying a Cyber Truck and a red Model S Tesla outside the White House. Trump said he was buying the Model S because he liked the color. The car stood in the White House parking lot as Tesla investors clamored for Musk to return to his business. DOGE continued to fall short on the promised savings. And that made it more difficult for Trump to justify the cost of the BBB. If Trump and Musk had discussions about his departure, they were private. Trump held a sendoff ceremony in the Oval Office last Friday. Musk had a black eye that he explained away by saying his young son had hit him. He looked tense, but it seemed that might have been the result of a news report about his suspected drug use At one point, Musk looked around the freshly gilded office he would never be able to occupy despite his billions of dollars and millions of followers on X. 'The Oval Office finally has the majesty that it deserves, thanks to the president,' he said. Trump presented Musk with a golden key to the White House, where he can never reside. Both men said nice things about each other. 'One of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced,' Trump said. 'Elon's service to America has been without comparison in modern history.' Musk pledged, 'The DOGE teams will only get stronger over time.' But as a full blown narcissist, Musk could not just let it end so far short of success. He had to show his power by smashing something. On Tuesday, Musk took the first step toward what would become a break-up in front of millions. Musk had said nothing negative about the BBB at the White House farewell and there had been no significant changes to it since them. But he now denounced it on X as 'a disgusting abomination.' 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore,' he wrote, now calling the BBB 'this massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill.' 'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,' he added 'You know it.' He subsequently vowed to 'fire' any legislators who supported it. Remarkably, the equally narcissistic Trump did not immediately respond, and it seemed he may have remained under the spell of Musk's money and online clout. But on Thursday, during a televised Oval Office meeting with new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump allowed that he was 'very disappointed in Elon.' 'Elon's upset because we took the [electric vehicle] mandate and–you know, which was a lot of money for electric vehicles,' Trump then said.'He only developed a problem when he found out I would cut the EV mandate,' Musk must have been watching. 'Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,' Musk wrote on X. 'Such ingratitude.' The two major world figures kept posting when they could have just gotten on the phone. They instead played it out so it was read live by millions who comprised an intended audience. 'Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public,' Musk wrote. 'Have a nice day, DJT!' What was most distressing about this deliberately public dispute between the world's richest man and its most powerful was that neither seemed more emotionally mature than your basic junior high student. However it goes from there, Trump will be out of power on January 20, 2029. Musk may or may not still be the world's richest man; Tesla stock fell by 13 percent during Thursday's exchange. But however much money he wins or loses, he will never have for even a minute the power an elected president has for four years. He may be able to briefly buy a president, but he cannot become one.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dilbert cartoonist reveals Trump personally reached out following his terminal cancer announcement
"Dilbert" cartoonist Scott Adams said that President Donald Trump personally reached out to him after he revealed his cancer diagnosis this week. Adams, 67, announced on his web show on Monday that he had metastatic prostate cancer, the same type that former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with. "I have the same cancer that Joe Biden has. I also have prostate cancer that has also spread to my bones," Adams said on "Coffee with Scott Adams" on Monday. "My life expectancy is maybe this summer. I expect to be checking out from this domain sometime this summer." On Thursday, Adams revealed Trump personally called him afterward to offer support. 'Dilbert' Creator Scott Adams Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Predicts He Has Only Months To Live The cartoonist said he didn't pick up at first when Trump called because he didn't recognize the Florida-based number. But he later discovered the president had left him a message. Read On The Fox News App "And a little bit later I thought, I better check that voicemail and see if that was anything I need to deal with. And the first sentence in the transcription, cause you know the phone gives you the text version of the voicemail as well, the first sentence is, 'This is your favorite president,'" Adams recalled. "And I thought to myself, 'No,'" he said while chuckling. "'Did I just send the most important person in the world to voicemail?' And it turns out that I had!" Adams said the president left a "somewhat lengthy" voicemail saying he was checking in to see how Adams was doing because he had heard about his cancer diagnosis. Trump Calls Biden's Cancer Diagnosis 'Very Sad' While Questioning Timeline: 'Wasn't Informed' He said Trump left his phone number for Adams to call him back, but he didn't take the president up on his offer, feeling that Trump was just being courteous and it would be "ridiculous" to bother him with a call. "It was just a nice thing for him to say," Adams explained. "It's not like he's sitting at the Resolute Desk, waiting for my call. I thought whatever it is he's doing has got to be more important than randomly taking a call from me," he added. Adams said later the same day his phone rang, and he saw it was a call from Florida again. Trump Surprises 104-Year-old Wwii Veteran With Birthday Message After Viral Tiktok Invite "And I thought to myself, no f---ing way, there's no way he's calling me again, and I answer it, and it's Trump!" he said. Adams said Trump asked him questions about his diagnosis and whether he was getting the treatments he needed. "At the end, the strangest thing happened at the end of the call, you know, when he found out the situation was kind of dire, and I was still checking out some things that might help, he said, 'If you need anything, I'll make it happen,'" he said. "And he meant it," Adams said in disbelief. "He was completely aware of our, let's say, parallel journeys from 2015. He mentioned it, and it was just the most incredible, weird, hard to understand situation, but boy, was it fun." The White House did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment. Adams is most known for creating the popular office comedy comic strip "Dilbert," which poked fun at office culture with satirical humor and social commentary. Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this article source: Dilbert cartoonist reveals Trump personally reached out following his terminal cancer announcement
Ya Libnan
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
The fuss over Qatar's gift makes no sense
The ruler of Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is shown at Qatar Economic Forum during his opening speech By : Ya Libnan Editorial Board The uproar over Qatar's recent gift to the United States is unwarranted and unnecessarily politicized. The controversy raises a deeper question: why is this generous gesture from a close ally being twisted into a political issue? For over two centuries, America has accepted thoughtful and iconic gifts from its international partners—gifts that have helped shape the nation's image and soul. The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, gifted by Queen Victoria in 1880, remains a symbol of enduring ties with the United Kingdom. Can we imagine New York without the Statue of Liberty from France? Or springtime in Washington, D.C. without the cherry blossoms gifted by Japan? So why is the gift from Qatar —a custom-made, American-built aircraft offered to President Donald J. Trump , now serving his second term—being treated differently? According to reports, some voices in Washington, allegedly influenced by pro-Israel lobbying groups such as AIPAC, have attempted to stir opposition in Congress. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be concerned that this gift may increase Qatar's influence in Washington. But this narrative conveniently ignores Qatar's long-standing, deep-rooted alliance with the United States. Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base , the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East , and has been a critical player in U.S. diplomacy for decades. It is a country that has repeatedly proven its value as a partner—whether in counterterrorism efforts, humanitarian diplomacy, or regional stability. Let's also be clear: this gift is not about foreign influence. It is about shared values and mutual respect . The aircraft in question is designed and built in America , and is the same model used by U.S. presidents. Far from seeking to gain leverage, Qatar is celebrating American innovation—and honoring its strategic relationship with the United States. Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani , addressed the controversy directly during the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum: 'I am not comparing this gift to the Statue of Liberty… It is not something we are doing to buy influence. It is our duty to help when help is needed.' At the same time, Qatar has committed to investing $1.2 trillion in the U.S. economy —a move that will create American jobs and strengthen our industries. It has also placed the largest single order ever for Boeing aircraft , directly benefiting American workers and manufacturers. This is not a moment for political games. It is a time to show appreciation for an ally that is standing with America in real, tangible ways. Turning away a gift like this would be both diplomatically tone-deaf and economically self-defeating. Let's stop pretending this is about ethics or influence. This is about whether the United States can still tell the difference between a friend and a foe . Qatar has proven itself to be a friend—repeatedly, consistently, and at great cost. President Trump knows that. So should the rest of Washington . Did America forget how to be grateful and say Thank you ?
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump Fumbles Key Question as He Unveils Pricey Golden Dome Plans
The president unveiled his designs for a 'Golden Dome' defense system Tuesday, promising that the massive missile defense sytem—modeled on Israel's 'Iron Dome'—would protect America from international threats. But when asked by a reporter whether military leaders actually want this supposed upgrade, Donald Trump couldn't explain himself. 'Have military commanders asked for this system specifically?' asked a reporter. 'Because [North American Aerospace Defense Command] had said previously that the current system was adequate, so what does this get the United States that isn't already—' 'Somebody said the current system is adequate? There really is no current system,' the commander in chief interrupted. 'We have certain areas of missiles and missile defense, but there's no system. We just have some very capable weapons. 'This is a—there's never been something like this, this is something that's going to be very protective. Rest assured there won't be anything like this, nobody else could be capable of building it, either,' Trump said. The reporter then asked again if the military had actually asked for the space-based missile defense system, to which Trump replied that he had suggested it and military leaders 'loved the idea.' 'It's the way it's got to be, right?' Trump said, leaning over the Resolute Desk. Trump requested that Congress appropriate $25 billion in its most recent tax bill to get his Golden Dome dream off the ground, claiming that a final price tag would waver around $175 billion on a projected three-year timeline. But those numbers fall far below what the Congressional Budget Office calculated. Last month, the congressional analysis group estimated that the space-based components of the plan alone would cost more than half a trillion dollars over the next 20 years. 'It's amazing how easy this one is to fund,' Trump said Tuesday, sounding exceedingly confident that he would be able to secure money for the project from Congress, days after Republicans lapsed on his reconciliation bill for being too expensive. 'People actually love it.' The gold-obsessed real estate developer formally plotted out his Golden Dome idea in a January 27 executive order, throwing the responsibility on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to figure out the details. But since then, critics have wondered if the massively expensive program would cut into funding for America's preexisting defense programs, including an Air Force project replacing 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles from the 1970s with updated versions.
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Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Blaming Joe Biden weakens Trump's presidency, undermines his achievements
Donald Trump's presidency is in full swing, and it's time to leave Joe Biden's term where it belongs, in the past. When a president leaves office, the country shifts focus to the new administration. The previous president should become a chapter of our history, not a scapegoat. Yet here we are. Trump is back behind the Resolute Desk, and somehow Biden is being blamed for the current administration's problems. It's become a reflex. Immigration problems? Biden. Egg prices up? Biden. Stocks down? Biden. Trump is governing, but acting like he's still campaigning against Biden, who has already packed up and gone home. And as of this past weekend, we learned he has prostate cancer. Biden's presidency wasn't without missteps. I'm thinking of the chaotic withdrawal in Afghanistan, for example, and the Inflation Reduction Act, which didn't actually curb inflation. The results of those decisions are still being felt today. But every president inherits problems, and it's their job to fix them. The economic challenges now facing Americans didn't happen overnight. Affordability continues to be a daily challenge for families everywhere, and Trump campaigned on fixing that. Instead, he imposed aggressive tariffs — in the name of liberating America, through from what I'm not sure — targeting America's trading partners. These tariffs have resulted in higher prices prompting American retailers such as Walmart to say they will pass the cost onto American consumers. This isn't liberation; it's inflation. If the administration is committed to short-term pain for long-term gains, it should refrain from invoking Biden's name like a boogeyman and make the case, instead of deflecting responsibility. Leadership requires taking responsibility. If border security issues persist, it's Trump's border. If inflation continues to grow, it's Trump's economy. Should World War III break out, it's Trump's war to end. That's both the burden and honor of being president. The bigger issue here: The president's blame game undermines his credibility. Who is governing today, if Trump is campaigning against last year's candidate? History offers many examples of presidents inheriting their predecessor's problems. When Ronald Reagan came into office, he inherited the Iranian hostage crisis. Instead of blaming Jimmy Carter, he got to work negotiating the hostages' release. When Franklin Roosevelt inherited the Great Depression from Herbert Hoover, he didn't point fingers, he delivered New Deal policies to help repair America's economy. Trump has the same opportunity, but it requires turning the page. At the same time, Biden isn't helping himself or his legacy by continuing to hold press conferences, joining The View or doing interviews. His interviews have been unusual for a recent ex-president — especially as he's used these interviews as a platform to criticize his successor and defend his legacy. The media isn't helping either. Publishing tell-alls such as Jake Tapper's recent book 'Original Sin' that details Biden's cognitive decline does little to inform the public and mostly fuels a political culture obsessed with gossip. It's distracting. America doesn't need mea culpas from the press or more Biden blaming. The Biden presidency is over. The responsibility of where the country stands and is headed now falls squarely on Trump's shoulders. And if he wants to be remembered for more than being the only other president besides Grover Cleveland to serve two non-consecutive terms, Trump will need to stop playing the Biden blame game and focus on delivering results. He campaigned on making America great again, and he has the chance to do that. That's what 77 million Americans voted for. Heading into the second half of 2025, the administration must be judged on its own merits. Anything less is beneath the dignity of the office and the expectations of the electorate. Trump wields the power of the presidency. It's time for him to take the responsibility that comes with it. The buck stops with Trump. Mary Anna Mancuso is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board. Her email: mmancuso@
