Latest news with #SouthAfrica-born
The South African
18 hours ago
- Business
- The South African
Here's how Elon Musk got his BLACK EYE
Billionaire Elon Musk bade farewell to Donald Trump in an extraordinary Oval Office appearance on Friday, sporting a black eye, brushing aside drug abuse claims and vowing to stay a 'friend and advisor' to the US president. As the world's richest person bowed out of his role as Trump's cost-cutter-in-chief, the Republican hailed Musk's 'incredible service' and handed him a golden key to the White House. But Trump insisted that Musk was 'really not leaving' after a turbulent four months in which his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut tens of thousands of jobs, shuttered whole agencies and slashed foreign aid. 'He's going to be back and forth,' said Trump, showering praise on the tech tycoon for what he called the 'most sweeping and consequential government reform programme in generations.' South Africa-born Musk, wearing a black T-shirt with the word 'Dogefather' in white lettering and a black DOGE baseball cap, said many of the $1 trillion savings he promised would take time to bear fruit. 'I look forward to continuing to be a friend and advisor to the president,' he said. But many people were more interested in the black bruise around Musk's right eye. Speculation about the cause was further fueled by accusations in the New York Times on Friday that Musk used so much of the drug ketamine on the 2024 campaign trail that he developed bladder problems. The SpaceX and Tesla magnate said that his son was to blame for the injury. 'I was just horsing around with lil' X, and I said, 'go ahead punch me in the face,'' 53-year-old Musk said. 'And he did. Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is…' he added, before tailing off. Musk, however, dodged a question about the drug allegations. The New York Times said Musk, the biggest donor to Trump's 2024 election campaign, also took ecstasy and psychoactive mushrooms and traveled with a pill box last year. Musk, who has long railed against the news media and championed his X social media platform as an alternative, took aim at the paper instead. 'Is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on the Russiagate?' said Musk, referring to claims that Trump's 2016 election campaign colluded with Moscow. 'Let's move on. Okay. Next question.' Later in the day, when a reporter asked Trump if he was 'aware of Elon Musk's regular drug use,' Trump simply responded: 'I wasn't.' 'I think Elon is a fantastic guy,' he added. The White House had earlier played down the report. 'The drugs that we're concerned about are the drugs running across the southern border' from Mexico, said Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, whose wife works for Musk. Musk has previously admitted to taking ketamine, saying he was prescribed it to treat a 'negative frame of mind' and suggesting his use of drugs benefited his work. The latest in a series of made-for-TV Oval Office events was aimed at putting a positive spin on Musk's departure. Musk is leaving Trump's administration under a cloud, after admitting disillusionment with his role and criticising the Republican president's spending plans. It was a far cry from his first few weeks as Trump's chainsaw-brandishing sidekick. At one time Musk was almost inseparable from Trump, glued to his side on Air Force One, Marine One, in the White House and at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The right-wing magnate's DOGE led an ideologically-driven rampage through the federal government, with its young 'tech bros' slashing tens of thousands of jobs. But DOGE's achievements fell far short of Musk's original goal of saving $2 trillion dollars. The White House says DOGE has made $170 billion in savings so far. The independent 'Doge Tracker' site has counted just $12 billion while the Atlantic magazine put it far lower, at $2 billion. Musk's 'move fast and break things' mantra was also at odds with some of his cabinet colleagues, and he said earlier this week that he was 'disappointed' in Trump's planned mega tax and spending bill as it undermined DOGE's cuts. Musk's companies, meanwhile, have suffered. Tesla shareholders called for him to return to work as sales slumped and protests targeted the electric vehicle maker, while SpaceX had a series of fiery rocket failures. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Elon Musk says ‘my time had to end' as he leaves Trump admin — but he's not going far
WASHINGTON — Elon Musk left the White House for the last time as a special government employee Friday, telling reporters 'my time had to end' — but insisting the Department of Government Efficiency he inspired will live on. 'I'll continue to be visiting here, and be a friend and an adviser to the president,' Musk, 53, said alongside President Trump in the Oval Office, sporting a black eye that he claimed was the product of a well-placed punch from his five-year-old son, X. The South Africa-born entrepreneur also vowed 'to support the DOGE team [as] we are relentlessly pursuing a trillion dollars in waste and fraud reduction that will benefit the American taxpayer.' The Tesla and SpaceX CEO had appeared increasingly jaded as he approached the end of his 130-day tenure, telling CBS News in an interview this week he was 'disappointed' with Trump's signature One Big Beautiful Bill Act — his first public break with the president. 5 Trump shakes Musk's hand at the White House on his final day. But Musk was in a more bullish mood Friday, reaffirming that 'I'm confident that over time, we'll see a trillion dollars of savings — a trillion dollars of waste and fraud reductions.' 'The DOGE influence will only grow stronger,' he predicted. 'I liken it to a sort of Buddhism, it's like a way of life. It is permeating throughout the government.' The department's own website currently claims that DOGE has trimmed just $175 billion in government fat — and even that total has been questioned. 5 Musk said he will still be an 'adviser' to the president, and that the trillion dollar goal still remains. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has pledged to move ahead with making the DOGE cuts permanent when lawmakers begin the regular appropriations process in September for fiscal year 2026 — while press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Thursday that Trump and his cabinet members will oversee the department's ongoing work. 'Almost all of those people are staying,' Trump said of Musk's DOGE team, which is largely made up of young engineers. 'It will be really interesting to see what the final number is going to be,' the president added, predicting that the savings could add up to 'hundreds of billions' while promising to make cuts 'very surgically.' 5 Elon Musk jumps on stage as he arrives to speak at a town hall in support of Donald Trump at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, on October 18, 2024. AFP via Getty Images 5 Musk leaves the stage holding a chainsaw after speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Getty Images Musk endorsed Trump after the Republican narrowly survived an assassination attempt during a July 13, 2024, campaign rally in Butler, Pa., and quickly became one of the president's closest confidants — listening in on calls with foreign leaders, spending time with the first family, and sitting in on critical meetings. The billionaire was entrusted to gut the government of 'fraud and waste' by eliminating unwanted programs, causing controversy due to his status as an unelected official who was not subject to Senate confirmation. Protests broke out across the country over Musk pulling the plug on organizations like the US Agency for International Development — whose key functions were transferred to the State Department — and masterminding layoffs of thousands of workers at agencies including the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services. 5 Elon Musk holds a 'key to the White House' given to him by President Donald Trump. AFP via Getty Images The president stood behind Musk throughout his government tenure, publicly buying a Tesla on the White House driveway in March and threatening left-wingers who vandalized the electric vehicles with up to 20 years in prison. 'He's one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced,' Trump said Friday of his right-hand man. 'Elon has worked tirelessly to lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations.' Musk has reaffirmed his commitment to Tesla, recently telling investors in Qatar he expects to remain as CEO for at least the next five years.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
South Africa Proposes 10-Year Purchase Deal For U.S. LNG
South Africa has proposed to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States over a 10-year period as the country looks to secure a trade deal with the Trump administration, a ministerial statement by the South African government has revealed. South Africa plans to import 75 to 100 million cubic metres of LNG per year from the U.S., the world's top LNG exporter. According to Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africa's Minister in the Presidency, the deal would 'unlock approximately $900 million to $1.2 billion in trade per annum and $9 billion – $12 billion for 10 years based on applicable price.' According to Ntshavheni, U.S. LNG will not replace South Africa's current supplies but rather complement them. Ntshavheni, South Africa's cabinet spokesperson, said her country would also explore areas of cooperation with the U.S. in various technologies, including fracking, to help unlock the country's gas sector. South Africa's Karoo region holds significant gas reserves, however, the country has a moratorium on shale gas exploration over environmental grounds. The proposed trade package also includes a quota of 40,000 vehicles per year to be exported duty-free from South Africa; duty-free supplies of automotive components sourced from South Africa; 385 million kilograms of duty-free steel per year and 132 million kg of duty-free aluminium per year. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is credited with proposing the LNG deal during his visit to the White House a week ago, when U.S. President Donald Trump blamed him for 'genocide' against white farmers and controversial government policies, such as black economic empowerment and land reforms. Ramaphosa had hoped to use the meeting to mend fences with the Trump administration after Trump cancelled aid to South Africa, accusing the government of committing 'egregious actions.' South Africa-born billionaire and a Trump super-ally, Elon Musk, has condemned the South African leadership for supporting 'openly racist policies.'Musk is considered to be a big reason behind the animosity towards South Africa by the Trump administration, where white South Africans disproportionately control most of the country's land and wealth despite constituting just 7% of the population. Back in March, Marco Rubio, U.S. secretary of state, declared South Africa's ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, persona non grata and expelled him from the country. The administration has criticised South Africa's genocide court case against Israel. South Africa currently imports most of its gas from Mozambique via pipeline, with Mozambique's $20 billion natural gas and LNG project facing repeated delays. The project was halted in 2021 due to violence in the Cabo Delgado region, specifically an attack by Islamic State-linked militants. TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) is currently seeking approval from the Mozambican government to lift a force majeure declaration on the project, and hopes to start production by 2029. Total is the project's main operator with a 26.5% stake, followed by Japan's Mitsui & Co with 20%, while Mozambique's state-owned ENH owns a 15% stake. Despite the violence, the project is viewed as crucial for the region's economy and Mozambique's economy, with the Southern African country projected to earn US$23 billion from the Coral Norte project over three decades. The LNG plant will liquefy 13.12 million metric tons of natural gas per year (tpy). Whereas 18 African countries produce some natural gas, Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria account for nearly 90% of all gas produced on the continent. Nigeria has the continent's largest gas reserves at 206.5 trillion cubic feet. The oil and gas sector in Africa's most populous country is responsible for 95% of the country's foreign exchange earnings and 20% of GDP. Source: LNG Industry Currently, Africa has several big LNG projects in progress or awaiting FID (Final Investment Decision). These include Rovuma LNG, Coral North FLNG, Mozambique LNG, and Tanzania LNG. These four projects will be instrumental in ramping up the continent's LNG export capacity over the next decade. The Coral South FLNG is a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility located offshore Mozambique, specifically in the southern part of Area 4 of the Rovuma Basin. It is designed to process 450 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Coral reservoir, liquefying 3.4 million metric tons annually for export. The facility is the first FLNG deployed in deep waters on the African continent. Meanwhile, Rovuma LNG is a 12-train project with a total capacity of 18 million tpy; Mozambique LNG has a total export capacity of 43 million tpy while Tanzania LNG will provide 10 million tpy worth of capacity. By Alex Kimani for More Top Reads From this article on
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What to know about Musk's claim Starlink can't operate in South Africa because he's not Black
On May 20, 2025, Elon Musk, the South Africa-born tech billionaire who owns the space aeronautics company SpaceX (among others), spoke about his businesses at the Qatar Economic Forum. Bloomberg's Mishal Husain asked Musk about potential conflicts of interest between his tight connection with U.S. President Donald Trump and his businesses. Discussing Starlink, the satellite internet service provider operated by SpaceX, Husain claimed there was "some evidence that companies are allowing access to it because they want to be close to the Trump administration," and pointed to South Africa as an example. Musk responded by claiming that he couldn't get a license for Starlink in South Africa, because in his words, "I'm not Black." (It wasn't the first time Musk had made the claim — he also did so on his social media platform X on March 7.) Users shared the claim widely on social media following Musk's remarks. (X user @cb_doge) However, South Africa's telecommunications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, told the BBC in March that Starlink wasn't banned from the country at all. The nation's foreign ministry said Starlink would be welcome to operate in the country as long as it followed South African law. Snopes reached out to ICASA to ask whether Starlink had submitted an application in the last few months or if the South African government had come to an agreement with Musk that would allow Starlink to operate in the nation. A representative told us by email that Starlink "has not applied for a license with ICASA." In other words, Musk's company simply hasn't done the paperwork required to operate in the nation, according to ICASA. There is some legal nuance to this matter. Following the 1994 end of apartheid, the policy of legal segregation that effectively blocked the country's Black majority from participating in politics or the economy, then-President Nelson Mandela's government passed legislation aiming to prop up the nonwhite population's economic power. One such law requires many companies operating in South Africa to give local Black firms a stake in operations within the nation. According to February 2025 reporting from Semafor, the South African government was considering giving Musk's ventures, including Starlink, an exception to that rule. On May 20, Bloomberg reported that the nation's government had in fact struck such a deal, partly to reduce tensions between the country and Trump. Snopes has not independently confirmed these reports. Both Musk and Trump have publicly floated the conspiracy theory that there is a "white genocide" taking place within South Africa (Snopes checked the theory in 2018 and rated it false). The Trump administration withheld aid from the country in February 2025 on the grounds that white South Africans faced discrimination. Apartheid | South Africa, Definition, Facts, Beginning, & End | Britannica. 17 May 2025, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment – The Department of Trade Industry and Competition. Accessed 22 May 2025. Elon Musk's Starlink and the Racially Charged Row over Operating in South Africa. 16 Apr. 2025, Gedeon, Joseph. "US Suspends Aid to South Africa after Trump Order." The Guardian, 6 Mar. 2025. The Guardian, Palma, Bethania. "Is a 'Large-Scale Killing' of White Farmers Underway in South Africa?" Snopes, 24 Aug. 2018, Prinsloo, Loni, and S'thembile Cele. "South Africa to Offer Musk Starlink Deal Before Trump Meet." Bloomberg, 20 May 2025, South Africa Might Bypass Black Ownership Rules for Musk. 10 Feb. 2025, "South Africa to Offer Musk Starlink Deal before Trump Meeting, Bloomberg News Reports." Reuters, 20 May 2025.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What to know about Musk's claim Starlink can't operate in South Africa because he's not Black
On May 20, 2025, Elon Musk, the South Africa-born tech billionaire who owns the space aeronautics company SpaceX (among others), spoke about his businesses at the Qatar Economic Forum. Bloomberg's Mishal Husain asked Musk about potential conflicts of interest between his tight connection with U.S. President Donald Trump and his businesses. Discussing Starlink, the satellite internet service provider operated by SpaceX, Husain claimed there was "some evidence that companies are allowing access to it because they want to be close to the Trump administration," and pointed to South Africa as an example. Musk responded by claiming that he couldn't get a license for Starlink in South Africa, because in his words, "I'm not Black." (It wasn't the first time Musk had made the claim — he also did so on his social media platform X on March 7.) Users shared the claim widely on social media following Musk's remarks. (X user @cb_doge) However, South Africa's telecommunications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, told the BBC in March that Starlink wasn't banned from the country at all. The nation's foreign ministry said Starlink would be welcome to operate in the country as long as it followed South African law. Snopes reached out to ICASA to ask whether Starlink had submitted an application in the last few months or if the South African government had come to an agreement with Musk that would allow Starlink to operate in the nation. A representative told us by email that Starlink "has not applied for a license with ICASA." In other words, Musk's company simply hasn't done the paperwork required to operate in the nation, according to ICASA. There is some legal nuance to this matter. Following the 1994 end of apartheid, the policy of legal segregation that effectively blocked the country's Black majority from participating in politics or the economy, then-President Nelson Mandela's government passed legislation aiming to prop up the nonwhite population's economic power. One such law requires many companies operating in South Africa to give local Black firms a stake in operations within the nation. According to February 2025 reporting from Semafor, the South African government was considering giving Musk's ventures, including Starlink, an exception to that rule. On May 20, Bloomberg reported that the nation's government had in fact struck such a deal, partly to reduce tensions between the country and Trump. Snopes has not independently confirmed these reports. Both Musk and Trump have publicly floated the conspiracy theory that there is a "white genocide" taking place within South Africa (Snopes checked the theory in 2018 and rated it false). The Trump administration withheld aid from the country in February 2025 on the grounds that white South Africans faced discrimination. Apartheid | South Africa, Definition, Facts, Beginning, & End | Britannica. 17 May 2025, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment – The Department of Trade Industry and Competition. Accessed 22 May 2025. Elon Musk's Starlink and the Racially Charged Row over Operating in South Africa. 16 Apr. 2025, Gedeon, Joseph. "US Suspends Aid to South Africa after Trump Order." The Guardian, 6 Mar. 2025. The Guardian, Palma, Bethania. "Is a 'Large-Scale Killing' of White Farmers Underway in South Africa?" Snopes, 24 Aug. 2018, Prinsloo, Loni, and S'thembile Cele. "South Africa to Offer Musk Starlink Deal Before Trump Meet." Bloomberg, 20 May 2025, South Africa Might Bypass Black Ownership Rules for Musk. 10 Feb. 2025, "South Africa to Offer Musk Starlink Deal before Trump Meeting, Bloomberg News Reports." Reuters, 20 May 2025.
