Latest news with #anti-Musk
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Elon Musk's Bromance With Donald Trump Appears to Sour
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The relationship that has defined the second Trump administration is breaking down, according to those closest to the president. The partnership of Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has been central to White House operations since the administration took office in January, but with Musk now stepping away from the limelight, there are signs that the personal bond between the two has frayed. Newsweek contacted Musk and the White House for comment via email. Why It Matters As head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has led the charge on cuts to federal spending, and as the owner of X, formerly Twitter, he has made himself a top advocate for the administration's policies through his prolific social media activity. Trump has in turn praised Musk as a "genius" and backed his electric car company, Tesla, during the height of anti-Musk protests that targeted the vehicles. The two often said there was a personal relationship underpinning their collaboration, with Musk becoming a regular at Mar-a-Lago during the administration's transition period. What To Know It appears that Musk's departure from his public-facing role at DOGE has coincided with increasing frustrations between him and the president. Musk often clashed with top figures in the White House, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over management of the IRS, Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the abolition of USAID, and the president himself over his intervention in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election in April, The Atlantic reported. "He's finished, done, gone. He polls terrible. People hate him," an anonymous source close to the Republican Party told Politico. "He'd go to Wisconsin thinking he can buy people's votes, wear the cheese hat, act like a 9-year-old. … It doesn't work. It's offensive to people." President Donald Trump and Elon Musk speaking in the White House on March 14. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk speaking in the White House on March 14. Getty Images Since announcing that he would focus more on his tech companies, Musk has also increasingly criticized Trump's policies. On Tuesday, he said he was "disappointed" by Trump's "big, beautiful bill," as it included too much federal spending—the very thing Musk and DOGE spent months trying to cut. "It increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk said in an interview with CBS. "I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both. My personal opinion," he added. Other clashes between the two include Musk's opposition to Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs. The billionaire's tech companies rely heavily on the international supply chains that the tariffs have disrupted. Musk also appeared to contradict Trump's long-standing bid to promote fossil fuels over renewable energy, writing on social media on Tuesday, "Compared to solar, oil is small-time." What People Are Saying Vice President JD Vance said in April: "DOGE has got a lot of work to do, and yeah, that work is going to continue after Elon leaves. But fundamentally, Elon is going to remain a friend and an adviser of both me and the president." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said: "Elon Musk and President Trump have both publicly stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete." What Happens Next Musk has said his attention is now on his tech companies, most notably Tesla and SpaceX.
Sky News AU
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Alex Stein trolls Elon Musk protestors with rap performance
Comedian Alex Stein has gatecrashed a protest against Elon Musk and Tesla by breaking out into song and dance. Mr Stein recounts his experience 'battling' with anti-Musk activists. 'I was just trying to out-absurd them and I think I did the job, but now I am embarrassed,' he said.
Newsweek
25-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
DOGE's Elon Musk Makes '24/7' Promise to His Companies
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Elon Musk has said that he is planning on "spending 24/7" at his tech companies after stepping away from his more public-facing role at the Department of Government Efficiency. The DOGE lead said that he would be focusing more on X, Tesla, and SpaceX, which have all seen drops in their reputation during Musk's political work, according to polls. Why It Matters The statement is further confirmation that Musk will be spending more time on his companies than on DOGE, which has defined the first few months of the second Trump administration. Musk has come under heavy criticism from the public for the cuts DOGE made to federal spending, with Tesla becoming a beacon for anti-Musk protests. The company's sales slumped in the first quarter of 2025, losing 71 percent of profit since Musk entered office. What To Know In a Saturday post on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Musk confirmed that he would be working "24/7" on the companies that made him a household name. Musk was responding to a technical problem that rendered X unusable for thousands of users across the world, with over 25,000 error reports flagged by social media watchdog DownDetector. Musk wrote: "Back to spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms. "I must be super focused on X/xAI and Tesla (plus Starship launch next week), as we have critical technologies rolling out." The message came after X experienced a worldwide technical failure that made it impossible to properly read any messages on the site, which Musk took over ownership of in 2022. Elon Musk in the Oval Office at the White House on May 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Elon Musk in the Oval Office at the White House on May 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Getty Images "As evidenced by the X uptime issues this week, major operational improvements need to be made. The failover redundancy should have worked, but did not," Musk said after the site was restored. Musk's departure from politics has been increasingly clear in the last month, with Musk saying that he had "done enough" political work, and Vice President JD Vance confirming that DOGE would continue its work without Musk at the helm. He has already announced in the media that he intended to step back from DOGE. Additionally, Musk said in a recent meeting with Tesla investors that he would be spending more time with the company, saying in April: "I think starting probably next month, May, my time allocation to DOGE will drop significantly." What People Are Saying Vice President JD Vance echoed the sentiment that DOGE would continue in some form without Musk at some point in the future, telling reporters: "DOGE has got a lot of work to do, and that work is going to continue after Elon leaves. But fundamentally, Elon is going to remain a friend and an adviser of both me and the president." What Happens Next After Musk's exit, Cabinet secretaries are expected to continue the department's work. "There'll be a point at which the secretaries will be able to do this work … with the scalpel, and that's what we want," Trump said in April.
25-05-2025
- Automotive
Want an electric vehicle but not a Tesla? Here are some great alternatives
Buying a Tesla has become a bit more complicated in the past year. The company's Model Y and Model 3 continue to be the best-selling electric vehicles in the U.S., accounting for more than 40% of all EVs sold last year, according to Cox Automotive data. But Tesla's stronghold on the EV market is slipping. The U.S. electric automaker has seen its popularity dip in recent months, with insiders attributing the decline to more competition and Elon Musk's political views. Reports of Tesla owners selling their vehicles, violent demonstrations at Tesla showrooms and anti-Musk rallies across the globe have convinced some consumers to search for an alternative. The good news is that legacy automakers and electric startups are quickly answering that demand, unveiling new models that offer performance, styling and impressive range. If you're searching for an EV, here are some suggestions that could meet your driving needs. Model 3 Jason Cammisa, host of Hagerty's "ICON" series, said motorists have "legitimate" concerns about Tesla: "Buying one is making a political statement," he told ABC News. But the Model 3 is also "the best consumer product in the world," he argued. "It's the best car in the world, period, full stop, not up for discussion," he said. "You won't find a better car on planet earth, not at that price and combination of attributes." He added, "The thing about Tesla is that is spans so many different price points and socioeconomic situations ... you have value shoppers looking at Model 3s as well as billionaires." Cammisa, however, has plenty of praise for several Model 3 competitors, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($42,400), the Kia EV6 ($42,900) and Genesis GV60 ($52,350). "The Hyundai products tend to hit all the marks well -- the packaging is good and the UX (user experience) works well enough," he noted. "The Ioniq 5 N is the enthusiast choice -- it has drift modes and you get Lamborghini levels of performance in that car." Cammisa said he reviews and ranks EVs on factors that may not have been top priorities for motorists in the past. "The biggest differentiators in the market now are not things like powertrains and suspension tuning. The consumer experience is the real differentiator now," he said. Patrick George, editor-in-chief of InsideEVs, said he's heard from many Tesla owners who are ready "to move on" from their cars. "They're done with Tesla because of Elon," he told ABC News. "Getting rid of Teslas are a real thing." He and his staff have compiled a list of non-Teslas to chose from, which includes the EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. George noted that the BMW i4 and i5 were superb replacements: "I was massively impressed with how those drive," he said. Model Y Jared Rosenholtz, editor at large for CarBuzz, has two favorite Model Y replacements: the Chevy Equinox ($33,600) and Porsche Macan Electric ($77,295). "The Equinox EV is a fantastic little vehicle with a nice interior and 300 miles of range," he told ABC News. "With incentives, the price will come in under $30,000." The pricier Macan EV "drives just as well as the gas version," according to Rosenholtz, who is also a fan of the Audi Q6 e-tron ($63,800), which is similar in size and power. Camissa, too, was impressed with the Macan, saying it had "the best stereo I ever heard in a car." "The Macan EV is the total package," he said. Rosenholtz also recommended the new Volvo EX30 ($46,195), a smallish yet mighty crossover that packs 422 hp and sprints from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. "The EX30 is super adorable and the quickest Volvo ever made," he said. Model S Cammisa, Rosenholtz and George all agreed that the Lucid Air, a handsome electric sedan that can travel at least 420 miles on a single charge, was without question a top competitor to the S, or any sedan on the market. "It has unbelievably fast charging and drives amazing," said Rosenholtz. "And you can get a Lucid for $10,000 less than the cheapest Model S." The Air, which is available in four trims, has a starting price of $69,900. Owners can "fill up" their Air with 200 miles of charge in about 12 minutes if they opt for the Wunderbox battery charger, according to the company. Cammisa raved about the Air Sapphire ($250,000), which is priced like a Bentley and performs like a supercar: 0-60 mph in 1.89 seconds. "It's the best-handling sedan ever made in the history of the world," he said. "The Lucid Gravity is even better -- if you want a minivan looking SUV. Dynamically that thing is unbelievable and the packaging is unbelievable. I send people to Lucids all the time." In addition to the Lucid Air, George listed the Porsche Taycan ($100,300) and Hyundai Ioniq 6 ($37,850) as two great options, depending on one's budget. "The Ioniq 6 is outstanding on range," he pointed out. "The Taycan is the OG Model S competitor -- it's more like a sports car with really fast charging." Model X Americans love their big, three-row SUVs and plenty of Model X challengers have hit the market in recent months. George said Tesla owners are increasingly turning to startup Rivian, which makes the fashionable R1S ute ($75,900). "We've seen a lot of Model X owners move to Rivian. It's the closest to Tesla in so many areas -- software updates, range and performance," George said. "Everyone who has gotten a Rivian has so far adored it. It's one of my favorite trucks." Added Cammisa: "The R1S is the EV that Range Rover owners want." Cammisa still prefers the Lucid Gravity ($79,900), which is available to order now on the Lucid site. "It does have the proportions of a minivan but the engineers have crafted the perfect commuter vehicle," he said. "This thing has everything you need but the question will be: is this what people want?" George also pointed to the Polestar 3 ($67,500), a sleek and haute SUV that can be configured in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. The 3's long range dual motor model makes 489 horsepower and 620 lb.-ft. of torque and its dual chamber active air suspension improves the handling and ride quality by adapting to sensor input 500 times a second. "The Polestar 3 is very Tesla-esque," said George. "It's got great tech, outstanding performance and great styling." Honda's Prologue ($47,400), the company's first electric SUV, has already been a hit with consumers since it launched last year. The interior is spacious, the optional panoramic roof adds brightness to the cabin and designers included high-quality materials and large buttons and knobs. Honda has partnered with General Motors on battery development and technology, so there are many similarities with the Chevy Blazer EV. "The Prologue is a great gateway to EVs," said George, who noted how "normal" the Prologue drove compared to more aggressive regenerative braking systems. Plus, "it has buttons if you don't want a car that's all screens and minimalist."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Attack ads in New Jersey governor's race link a top Democrat to Elon Musk
Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill is facing new attacks on the airwaves in New Jersey's gubernatorial race, with rivals targeting campaign donations from the PAC tied to billionaire Elon Musk's rocket company. Two new attack ads launched this week note that Sherrill's House campaign received donations from a corporate PAC for Musk's company SpaceX, underscoring how Democrats are looking to invoke Musk in attacks, not just against Republicans but also against members of their own party. The ads come at a critical moment in the hotly contested New Jersey primary, weeks before Democrats will choose their nominee on June 10. And they also offer a preview of potential attacks to come in other Democratic contests, after years of the SpaceX PAC spreading money around Washington. Musk, who emerged as a major GOP donor in 2024 and is now a White House adviser, has become a political boogeyman for Democrats, especially as he has worked to drastically reduce the size of the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency. Though he has pulled back from his initial prominent role in the Trump administration, the move by Sherrill's opponents signal that anti-Musk sentiment remains intense within the Democratic Party. Sherrill's House campaign was one of nearly 180 Democratic congressional campaigns to receive donations from SpaceX's corporate PAC since 2008, according to campaign finance records. The corporate PAC also donated to roughly 240 Republican congressional campaigns over that same period. If the New Jersey race is any indication, the donations could become political liabilities for Democrats this year, and the list of recipients includes some who are in competitive Senate primaries in 2026. That list includes as Reps. Angie Craig of Minnesota and Haley Stevens of Michigan, as well as Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, who are both running for Senate in Illinois. Craig's campaign previously said it donated her campaign's SpaceX contributions to charity. Krishnamoorthi's campaign also donated the funds to charity before he launched his Senate run, according to his campaign. Sherrill has done the same, donating the $24,000 her campaign had received from the SpaceX corporate PAC since 2019 to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey on March 20, according to a recent campaign finance report. 'These are false, desperate attacks from candidates who've spent millions and have failed to garner support," Sherrill campaign spokesman Sean Higgins said in a statement, later adding, "The fact is Mikie's gubernatorial campaign hasn't taken a dime from Elon Musk or his companies." One of Sherrill's rivals in the gubernatorial primary, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, also received a $2,500 donation from Musk last year. Gottheimer campaign spokesperson Peter Opitz said in a statement to NBC News that Gottheimer 'gave away the contribution last year to help Democrats in New Jersey beat Republicans at the ballot box.' But it's Sherrill who has faced new attacks on the airwaves over the donations, as some view her as the front-runner in the six-way primary to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. One of Sherrill's top opponents in the primary, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, launched an ad on Tuesday with the narrator highlighting the donations and saying, 'Mikie Sherrill let us down.' And a super PAC supporting Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop launched a TV ad on Wednesday also knocking Sherrill for the campaign donations, with a narrator saying that Sherrill is 'too risky for Democrats in November.' Another gubernatorial candidate, former state Senate president Steve Sweeney, launched a website last week titled 'Mikie Took the Money,' also highlighting the SpaceX contributions. Sherrill has also name-checked Musk in her campaign, saying in an early TV ad that she is running for governor in part 'to stand up to Trump and Musk with all I've got.' Higgins, the Sherrill campaign spokesperson, added: 'She's been called one of 'Musk's most vocal critics in Congress' and has introduced legislation to have Musk drug tested and investigated for conflicts of interest, and to protect the benefits New Jerseyans have earned.' Sherrill has called on inspectors general at several federal agencies to investigate Musk's potential conflicts of interest as he oversaw DOGE, and she signed onto legislation restricting Musk and DOGE from accessing Treasury Department data. As she fends off the Musk-related attack, Sherrill's rivals are also knocking her for stock trades, noting that she paid a fine in 2022 for being late to disclose two sales of stocks related to her husband's work. Sherrill, who doesn't own or trade individual stocks herself, having sold them in 2020, does co-sponsor a measure barring members of Congress and their immediate family members from trading individual stocks. Higgins criticized Baraka's campaign for using a headline from Newsmax on Sherrill's stock trading, saying Sherrill's opponents have "recycled debunked, right-wing propaganda from an outlet that was fined for spreading Trump's election lies." This article was originally published on
