Latest news with #StarLink
Japan Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Trump says Musk relationship over, warns of 'serious consequences' if he funds Democrats
Donald Trump said on Saturday his relationship with his billionaire donor Elon Musk is over and warned there would be "serious consequences" if Musk funds U.S. Democrats running against Republicans who vote for the president's sweeping tax and spending bill. In a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump declined to say what those consequences would be, and went on to add that he had not had discussions about whether to investigate Musk. Asked if he thought his relationship with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO was over, Trump said, "I would assume so, yeah." "No," Trump told NBC when asked if he had any desire to repair his relationship with Musk. "I have no intention of speaking to him," Trump said. However, Trump said he had not thought about terminating U.S. government contracts with Musk's StarLink satellite internet or SpaceX rocket launch companies. Musk and Trump began exchanging insults this week, as Musk denounced Trump's bill as a "disgusting abomination." Musk's opposition to the measure complicated efforts to pass the legislation in Congress, where Republicans hold only slim majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate. The bill narrowly passed the House last month and is now before the Senate, where Trump's fellow Republicans are considering making changes. Nonpartisan analysts estimate the measure would add $2.4 trillion to the $36.2 trillion U.S. debt over 10 years, which worries many lawmakers, including some Republicans who are fiscal hawks. Musk also declared it was time for a new political party in the United States "to represent the 80% in the middle!" Trump said on Saturday he is confident the bill would get passed by the U.S. July 4 Independence Day holiday. "In fact, yeah, people that were, were going to vote for it are now enthusiastically going to vote for it, and we expect it to pass," Trump told NBC. Republicans have strongly backed Trump's initiatives since he began his second term as president on January 20. While some Republican lawmakers have made comments to the news media expressing concern about some of Trump's choices, they have yet to vote down any of his policies or nominations. Musk has deleted some social media posts critical of Trump, including one that signaled support for impeaching the president, appearing to seek a de-escalation of their public feud, which exploded on Thursday. During his first term as president, the House, then controlled by Democrats, twice voted to impeach Trump but the Senate both times acquitted him. The White House and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday on the deleted posts. People who have spoken to Musk said his anger has begun to recede and they thought he would want to repair his relationship with Trump. One of the X posts that Musk appeared to have deleted was a response to another user posting: "President vs Elon. Who wins? My money's on Elon. Trump should be impeached and (Vice President) JD Vance should replace him." Musk had written "yes." On Theo Von's "This Past Weekend" podcast — recorded on Thursday as the feud between Trump and Musk unfolded and released on Saturday — Vance called Musk's criticism of Trump a "huge mistake." "I'm always going to be loyal to the president, and I hope that eventually Elon kind of comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible now because he's gone so nuclear. But I hope it is," said Vance, describing Musk as an "incredible entrepreneur." Trump is due to attend an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight card on Saturday in New Jersey. Since his second election win, he has attended two previous UFC mixed martial arts fight cards with Musk. Musk is not expected to attend on Saturday. Musk, the world's richest man, bankrolled a large part of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, spending nearly $300 million in last year's U.S. elections and taking credit for Republicans retaining a majority of seats in the House and retaking a majority in the Senate. Trump named Musk to head an effort to downsize the federal workforce and slash spending, lauding him at the White House only about a week ago for his work as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk cut only about half of 1% of total spending, far short of his brash plans to axe $2 trillion from the federal budget.
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Trump says Musk relationship over, warns of 'serious consequences' if he funds Democrats
NEW JERSEY: Donald Trump said on Saturday (Jun 7) his relationship with his billionaire donor Elon Musk is over and warned there would be "serious consequences" if Musk funds US Democrats running against Republicans who vote for the president's sweeping tax and spending Bill. In a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump declined to say what those consequences would be, and went on to add that he had not had discussions about whether to investigate Musk. Asked if he thought his relationship with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO was over, Trump said, "I would assume so, yeah." "No," Trump told NBC when asked if he had any desire to repair his relationship with Musk. "I have no intention of speaking to him," Trump said. However, Trump said he had not thought about terminating US government contracts with Musk's StarLink satellite internet or SpaceX rocket launch companies. Musk and Trump began exchanging insults this week, as Musk denounced Trump's Bill as a " disgusting abomination". Musk's opposition to the measure complicated efforts to pass the legislation in Congress, where Republicans hold only slim majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate. The Bill narrowly passed the House last month and is now before the Senate, where Trump's fellow Republicans are considering making changes. Nonpartisan analysts estimate the measure would add US$2.4 trillion to the US$36.2 trillion US debt over 10 years, which worries many lawmakers, including some Republicans who are fiscal hawks. Musk also declared it was time for a new political party in the United States "to represent the 80% in the middle!" Trump said on Saturday he is confident the Bill would get passed by the US Jul 4 Independence Day holiday. "In fact, yeah, people that were, were going to vote for it are now enthusiastically going to vote for it, and we expect it to pass," Trump told NBC. Republicans have strongly backed Trump's initiatives since he began his second term as president on Jan 20. While some Republican lawmakers have made comments to the news media expressing concern about some of Trump's choices, they have yet to vote down any of his policies or nominations. DELETED MUSK POSTS Musk has deleted some social media posts critical of Trump, including one that signalled support for impeaching the president, appearing to seek a de-escalation of their public feud, which exploded on Thursday. During his first term as president, the House, then controlled by Democrats, twice voted to impeach Trump but the Senate both times acquitted him. The White House and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday on the deleted posts. People who have spoken to Musk said his anger has begun to recede and they thought he would want to repair his relationship with Trump. One of the X posts that Musk appeared to have deleted was a response to another user posting: "President vs Elon. Who wins? My money's on Elon. Trump should be impeached and (Vice President) JD Vance should replace him." Musk had written "yes". On Theo Von's "This Past Weekend" podcast - recorded on Thursday as the feud between Trump and Musk unfolded and released on Saturday - Vance called Musk's criticism of Trump a "huge mistake". "I'm always going to be loyal to the president, and I hope that eventually Elon kind of comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible now because he's gone so nuclear. But I hope it is," said Vance, describing Musk as an "incredible entrepreneur". Trump is due to attend an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight card on Saturday in New Jersey. Since his second election win, he has attended two previous UFC mixed martial arts fight cards with Musk. Musk is not expected to attend on Saturday. Musk, the world's richest man, bankrolled a large part of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, spending nearly US$300 million in last year's US elections and taking credit for Republicans retaining a majority of seats in the House and retaking a majority in the Senate. Trump named Musk to head an effort to downsize the federal workforce and slash spending, lauding him at the White House only about a week ago for his work as head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Sky News
3 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Arsonist told to watch spy drama by Russian mercenary group before fire, court told
A man who has admitted to aggravated arson at a Ukraine-linked warehouse was told to watch a Cold War spy drama as his "manual", the Old Bailey has heard. The Russian mercenary Wagner group allegedly recommended that Dylan Earl, 20, "please see" The Americans - a show where undercover spies carry out dangerous missions for the Soviet Union - to "understand" the work better, the jury was told. Prosecutors say that Earl was "knowingly acting at the behest" of Wagner - a private military contractor linked to Russia, which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation - who "commissioned the arson attack" in Leyton, East London, on 20 March 2024. The arson attack took place at an industrial unit supplying StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine, and caused around £1m of damage. Earl pleaded guilty to arson and 'preparatory conduct' - actively planning a crime - after being arrested in April last year. Before his arrest, the prosecution says Earl, on behalf of Wagner Group, also planned arson attacks on two businesses - a wine shop called Hedonism, and a restaurant called HIDE - in Mayfair, as well as the kidnap of the businesses' owner, a Russian dissident. The Americans The jury was told Earl had been sent details about the TV spy drama on 19 March - the day before the arson attack. Duncan Penny KC, prosecuting, said Earl had been tasked by Telegram user Privet Bot to watch the show. "Will you please see the serial Americans", one message read. "I recommend to watch it in order to understand work", read another. The next day - the day of the fire - other messages from 'Privet Bot' invited Earl to form a "movement", which it would offer "support" to. The messages also urged Earl to "watch this [The Americans] series" - adding "it will be your manual". Ashton Evans Mr Penny said Earl subsequently sent a message on Snapchat to one of the defendants, Ashton Evans, on 28 March 2024 with two words: "The Americans". The prosecution claims Earl was giving Evans a similar instruction to watch the show. Evans, 20, who is charged with failing to disclose information about terrorist acts, was in contact with Earl, "the architect of these offences", across three messaging platforms: iMessage chat, Snapchat and Signal, the court heard. He is accused of being aware of the Leyton arson before it occurred, the Mayfair plots and knowing that Earl was acting on the instructions of the Wagner Group. Evans admitted using the name 'Alexander Solonik' on Signal, Mr Penny said, explaining that the individual was reputed to be a Russian gangster, known for his reputation as a notorious hitman in the Russian criminal underworld. Kidnap plot Citing messages between Evans and Earl on 26 March 2024, Mr Penny said Evans had messaged to ask for details about the kidnap plot. "Send deets", Mr Penny read from the court bundle, quoting Evans, "they only paying 40k for a man worth a billion". The reference to "a man worth a billion", Mr Penny explained, is likely to be to the owner of Hide and Hedonism. The court heard that Earl and Evans exchanged further messages about the Mayfair plot on 30 March 2024, and Earl had explained it was a "wine shop" with "20 million pounds of stock". Another message read: "Obviously maybe only 1-2 million damnged (sic) but it be insured". "The thing is", another message acknowledged, "There's houses above", around "120ft nbove (sic)", and so recommended: "maybe we find a way so no one harmed." "But clean only bro", the prosecution quoted Earl texting, "Because there will be a good amount of heat after this it will be on every news channel and radio in our country". Four other men are on trial at the Old Bailey - Nii Kojo Mensah, 23, Jakeem Rose, 23, both from Thornton Heath, South London, Paul English, 61, from Roehampton, South London, and Ugnius Asmena, 20, of no fixed abode - deny aggravated arson. Ashton Evans and Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 22, both from Newport, Gwent, deny failing to disclose information about terrorist acts. Duncan Penny KC, prosecuting, told the court the defendants "may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial - good old-fashioned greed".
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Russia's Wagner Group planned arson attack on London business with links to Ukraine, court is told
LONDON (AP) — The trial has started of six men accused of arson at an east London business with links to Ukraine's war effort against Russia, with prosecutors saying Wednesday that the evidence against them was 'overwhelming.' At the start of the trial at London's Central Criminal Court, which is better known as the Old Bailey, prosecutors said the March 20, 2024 attack was planned by agents of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, which the British government has deemed a terrorist organization. Prosecutors said the Wagner Group recruited four men — Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, Nii Mensah, 23 and Paul English, 61 — who have been charged with setting fire to the industrial unit in Leyton, in the east of the capital, which supplied StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine. An additional two other men — Ashton Evans, 20, and Dmitrijus Paulauskas, 23 — are facing charges that they withheld information about upcoming terrorist attacks. The court was told that around 1 million pounds ($1.35 million) worth of damage was caused by the blaze. Prosecutors also said there were plans for similar attacks on two other businesses in the upmarket London neighborhood of Mayfair — a wine shop called Hedonism and a restaurant called Hide. Both are owned by an unidentified Russian dissident who has been vocal in his criticism of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. He has, prosecutors said, driven aid trucks from the U.K. to Ukraine. 'This was deliberate and calculated criminality, at the behest of foreign influence,' said prosecutor Duncan Penny. 'In the case of these defendants at the time of the fire they may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial – good old-fashioned greed. For others, however, it appears to have been both political and ideological.' Jurors heard the attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20, and Jake Reeves, 23, who have already admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group. Earl has also admitted to plotting to set fire to the two Mayfair businesses. Earl, he said, was the 'architect' of the attack and had come into contact with the Wagner Group via a channel on the Telegram messaging app. 'It appears that Dylan Earl expressed a willingness to undertake 'missions' of which the Leyton arson attack was the first,' said Penny. 'It is apparent that Dylan Earl knew he was acting against Ukrainian, and for Russian, interests.' Earl was the first person to be charged under the U.K.'s National Security Act 2023, which created new measures to combat espionage, political interference and benefiting from foreign intelligence services. It also gave authorities additional powers to search and seize property and detain and arrest suspects. Penny said the evidence against those facing charges was 'overwhelming' and that CCTV, traffic cameras and phone evidence will be presented to the jury. He said one of the suspects, Mensah, filmed the arson attack on his mobile phone and livestreamed it on FaceTime.
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Arsonists streamed Ukraine-linked warehouse attack for Wagner Group, court told
Around £1 million of damage was caused by the blaze at an industrial unit in Leyton, east London, last March 20, the Old Bailey was told. The attack was orchestrated by Dylan Earl, 20 and Jake Reeves, 23, who have admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group and an offence under the National Security Act, jurors heard. Jakeem Rose, 23, Ugnius Asmena, 20, Nii Mensah, 23 and Paul English, 61, were allegedly recruited to set fire to the warehouse. Opening their trial on Wednesday, Duncan Penny KC said the evidence against them was 'overwhelming'. He said that CCTV, traffic cameras and phone evidence tracked their journey in English's Kia Picanto through south London to the scene of the fire. More footage captured Rose and Mensah getting out of the vehicle, climbing over a wall and approaching the warehouses, jurors heard. Having filled a jerry can en route at a petrol station, Rose poured the contents onto warehouse unit doors and set them alight, it was alleged. Meanwhile, Mensah filmed the arson attack on his mobile phone and livestreamed it on FaceTime, jurors were told. Jurors were told that a lorry driver parked nearby was bedding down for the night at the time. He bravely but unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire, putting himself in significant danger, Mr Penny said. Rose dropped a very large knife with his DNA on it, with Mensah later messaging Reeves to say 'L9 (Rose's nickname) left his Rambo at the scene', the court heard. Eight fire crews tackled the 'significant' fire on the Cromwell Industrial Estate after it broke out shortly before midnight. It caused 'extensive damage' to the property and risked the lives of those nearby, he said. About 20 minutes after the attack, Mensah allegedly messaged Earl: 'Bro there was bare smoke … You saw it on Face Time.' A few hours later, he allegedly added: 'Bro lol it's on the news … we dun damagees (sic).' Mr Penny told jurors: 'This was deliberate and calculated criminality – at the behest of foreign influence. 'In the case of these defendants at the time of the fire they may have been ignorant of that influence and the motive may have been financial – good old-fashioned greed. 'For others, however, it appears to have been both political and ideological.' The prosecutor said the warehouse was targeted for its connection to Ukraine and the fact that the business there was concerned in logistics. The firm frequently delivered goods to Ukraine, including StarLink satellite equipment, and was involved in organising humanitarian aid, the court was told. Earl was said to be the 'architect' of the warehouse attack. He had come into contact with the Wagner Group via a channel on Telegram, the court was told. Mr Penny said: 'It appears that Dylan Earl expressed a willingness to undertake 'missions' of which the Leyton arson attack was the first. 'It is apparent that Dylan Earl knew he was acting against Ukrainian, and for Russian, interests.' Once Reeves discovered the motivation behind it, he was prepared to agree to accept money from a foreign intelligence service to target an individual and businesses in the capital, the jury was told. Earl, of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, and Reeves, of Croydon, have admitted plots to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, west London, and kidnapping their owner on behalf of the Wagner Group, the court heard. Mr Penny said: 'You might think that it is self-evident that these actions were designed to influence the government and to intimidate at least a section of the public and furthermore were made for the purpose of advancing a political and ideological cause. 'It is also relevant that at least one method of attack on the Mayfair premises discussed between Earl and Evans was by way of explosion.' Rose, of Croydon, Asmena, of no fixed address, Mensah, of Thornton Heath and English, of Roehampton, have denied aggravated arson. Two other defendants, Ashton Evans, 20, from Newport, Gwent, and Dmirjus Paulauskas, 23, from Croydon, are each charged with two counts of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts, which they deny. The Old Bailey trial continues.
