Given what happened last week, the prediction made in this article actually cheered me up a bit:
"'There Can Only Be One': CNN Hosts Predict Major Falling Out Between Elon Musk and Donald Trump"
"Kara Swisher and Chris Wallace forecast a one-on-one Highlander-style showdown between Musk and Trump after the tech CEO was called "the most powerful unelected man.""
As per this article:
"Kara Swisher has prophesied a battle between tech billionaire Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump in which only one man will remain standing.
Musk played a major role in Trump's campaign, from his America PAC to his X rants, with his support culminating in rumors of a promotion to Trump's cabinet.
Swisher, however, judged that both men saw themselves as the head honcho, and that this belief would lead to a major dissolution of their relationship with Trump inevitably coming out on top."
Well ... I wouldn't be so sure about TSF inevitably coming out on top in this one. My thinking is that TSF has already been bought, and Elmo has more than enough money to buy him again, and again, and again. And, besides that fact alone, TSF is now a mere caricature of his former self, while Elmo is now a bona fide "Bond villain."
So, get your popcorn ready, place your bets, if you're so inclined, and we'll see what happens.
Here's the link to this article: There Can Be Only One! - TSF vs. The Latest Bond Villain (https://www.thedailybeast.com/there-can-only-be-one-cnn-hosts-predict-major-falling-out-between-elon-musk-and-donald-trump/)
Either one coming out on top sounds like a nightmare. I'm unsure which would be best in terms of harm reduction. I'd definitely be surprised if Elon genuinely challenges Trump though. He seems like the kind of person to grovel for forgiveness for stepping out of line.
Quote from: Sophia the Altered on November 10, 2024, 06:34:11 AMEither one coming out on top sounds like a nightmare. I'm unsure which would be best in terms of harm reduction. I'd definitely be surprised if Elon genuinely challenges Trump though. He seems like the kind of person to grovel for forgiveness for stepping out of line.
I believe TSF is for sale to the highest bidder. We're only talking about Elmo right now. But, I also believe that if TSF isn't willing to continue taking his marching orders from him, he'll simply change oligarchs.
Perhaps our best outcome would be for TSF to get a few oligarchs into a bidding war for his services, and waste so much time salivating over their money that he can't do too much damage. Hey, I can dream, can't I?
The MSM is going to try to generate some revenue by running stories like this:
"Trump hates sharing the spotlight. That could spell trouble for his new buddy Elon Musk."
"How many "Scaramuccis" do we think the president-elect will let pass before his ego can no longer tolerate the adoration and authority of his '"co-president"?"
As per this article:
"We've joked darkly about Musk setting himself up as a sort of co-president but it's not just us. Two people familiar with the transition now tell NBC News that Musk may be overstaying his welcome in Trump world.
"He's behaving as if he's a co-president and making sure everyone knows it," one of those people said."
Here's the link to this article: Trump Hates Sharing the Spotlight (https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/trump-elon-musk-co-president-rcna180196)
But, this time around, the MSM will be inadvertently helping the Resistance 2.0.
Here's another example of the MSM inadvertently helping the Resistance 2.0, while chasing after revenue:
"Musk appears to pressure Trump on Cabinet and tariffs, raising eyebrows"
As per this article:
"Elon Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX billionaire who has become President-elect Donald Trump's "first buddy," appeared to publicly pressure Trump on economic policy and a key Cabinet appointment Saturday.
In a Saturday morning post on X, the social network he owns and runs, Musk praised a foreign leader's decision to cut tariffs — the same import taxes that Trump wants to raise to the highest level in a century. Several hours later, Musk posted that Howard Lutnick, Trump's co-transition chair, would be a better choice than hedge fund executive Scott Bessent for treasury secretary."
Here's the link to this article: Elmo's Raising Eyebrows (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/16/elon-musk-trump-treasury-tariffs/)
There can be only one!
I find all of this very logical and sensible.
If it turns out not to be an issue, I think that, in and of itself, is very interesting.
Here's another example of the MSM trying to generate revenue by playing up the probable Musk vs. TSF rivalry. And, it's yet another Murdoch-owned propaganda megaphone:
"WSJ editorial warns Elon Musk's 'blow-it-all-up' ideas will devastate U.S. economy"
As per this article:
"President-elect Donald Trump ally Elon Musk is telling him that the person he nominates for U.S. Treasury secretary should not be someone who favors "business as usual."
The advice has sent shock waves through the conservative Wall Street Journal.
The newspaper'seditorial board on Sunday emphasized that "disruption" at the U.S. Treasury Department could be risky and dangerous for the country's economy."
Here's the link to this article: WSJ Warns about Elmo the Oligarch (https://www.rawstory.com/wsj-editorial-warns-elon-musks-blow-it-all-up-ideas-will-devastate-u-s-economy/)
The WSJ editorial is hidden behind a paywall. Otherwise, I would have posted the original, source article. Anyway, I'm pretty sure we're going to see many more of these kinds of articles from the Murdoch Propaganda Machine, until we get much closer to the 2026 midterm elections.
This post is off-topic. But, since I started this topic, and this post is kind of, sort of about Elmo the Oligarch, I gave myself permission to post it here.
Anyway, I saw my first Tesla Cybertruck on the road Tuesday evening. In the dark, I first thought is was a big, ugly, commercial refrigerator being towed on a trailer to the scrapyard. It was only when I got along side of it, in the passing lane, that I realized what it really was. Now, I thought the photographs of that thing were bad, but my Goddess Eris, that is one butt ugly contraption!
Elmo the Oligarch understands the power and influence of imagery. Here's an example:
"'Hammer of Justice': Pre-dawn Elon Musk rant paints Matt Gaetz as Judge Dredd"
As per this article:
"Underneath the big head of hair, former Rep. Matt Gaetz has a "big brain" and is ready to become a "Hammer of Justice," the richest man in the world said on his social media site about 2 a.m."
And, further along in this article:
""Matt Gaetz has 3 critical assets that are needed for the AG role: a big brain, a spine of steel and an axe to grind," Musk wrote. "He is the Judge Dredd America needs to clean up a corrupt system and put powerful bad actors in prison.""
Here's the link to this article: Elmo the Oligarch Supports Gaetz With Powerful Imagery (https://www.rawstory.com/elon-musk-matt-gaetz/)
I don't know the comic book's lore, so I have to ask, did Judge Dredd ever put himself in prison for sexually assaulting a minor?
Quote from: Brother Mythos on November 20, 2024, 07:17:55 PMThis post is off-topic. But, since I started this topic, and this post is kind of, sort of about Elmo the Oligarch, I gave myself permission to post it here.
Anyway, I saw my first Tesla Cybertruck on the road Tuesday evening. In the dark, I first thought is was a big, ugly, commercial refrigerator being towed on a trailer to the scrapyard. It was only when I got along side of it, in the passing lane, that I realized what it really was. Now, I thought the photographs of that thing were bad, but my Goddess Eris, that is one butt ugly contraption!
Apparently, there are those who are actually attracted to the design of Elmo the Oligarch's Tesla Cybertrucks. This is on Elmo's very own propaganda site:
Tesla Cybertrucks Being Mistaken for ... wait for It! (https://x.com/Roshan_Rinaldi/status/1859932763069292647)
Unelected Co-president Elmo the Oligarch (UCEO) has already lasted over two (2) Scaramuccis.
"Elon Musk Stays Glued To Trump's Side At Mar-A-Lago Thanksgiving"
"The tech billionaire has reportedly been hunkering down at Trump's Florida estate ever since the election."
As per this article:
"Elon Musk continued to saddle up to Donald Trump over the holidays as he was seen at the president-elect's side during Thanksgiving celebration at Mar-a-Lago.
Footage shared by ABC News and CNN showed the tech billionaire seated beside Trump at a family table during a lavish dinner Thursday at the so-called Winter White House.
In one clip from the evening, the father of 12 and Republican politician were captured dancing to Trump's beloved Village People track, "Y.M.C.A.," while wife Melania Trump and son Barron Trump politely nodded their heads beside them."
Here's the link to this article: The UCEO and TSF Bromance So Far (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/elon-musk-trump-mar-a-lago-thanksgiving_n_6749ed2ce4b0f0109e2ebc21)
I was in the checkout line at the supermarket this afternoon, but I neglected to look and see if the tabloids are covering this love story.
Unelected Co-president Elmo the Oligarch (UCEO) has made another major power play:
"Elon Musk warns Republicans against standing in Trump's way — or his"
As per this article:
"DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A week after President-elect Donald Trump's victory, Elon Musk said his political action committee would "play a significant role in primaries."
The following week, the billionaire responded to a report that he might fund challengers to GOP House members who don't support Trump's nominees. "How else? There is no other way," Musk wrote on X, which he rebranded after purchasing Twitter and moving to boost conservative voices, including his own."
Here's the link: UCEO's Latest Major Power Play (https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-politics-trump-7e26c829af224a1f9d67c27cea085e68)
I think where he's going with this is obvious.
It appears Unelected Co-president Elmo the Oligarch (UCEO) is in the process of making another power play:
"Elon Musk Owns A Car Company. Feds Regulate Cars. Guess What Happens Next."
As per this article:
"The latest atrocity to benefit Musk is a report on Friday that the incoming administration may drop the federal government's car crash reporting rules. See, Tesla has a minor problem, in that it has had to report over 1,500 crashes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, partly because the automated-driving systems that are supposed to set the cars apart from normie vehicles don't work very well, turning them into fiery mobile deathtraps and causing untold misery and suffering to not just crash victims but their families as well.
Musk probably doesn't believe this, but pain and suffering by humans is in fact bad. It's true! Just ask us!
And should the administration follow through on scrapping these rules, it is far from the first sop to Musk. A few days ago Trump took to TruthSocial to announce that any businessperson who wants to invest one billion dollars into the US won't have to worry their pretty little heads about minor obstacles like regulations. What regulations? Presumably all of them, Katie! Environmental, health and safety, labor law. We hope you are all ready to see our streets flooded with Cockney chimney sweeps.
As Marcie noted at the time, Musk's companies have racked up huge fines from the EPA and the FAA related to SpaceX's liquid oxygen spills and unlicensed rocket launches, which have destroyed wilderness and polluted large swaths around the company's launch site in South Texas.
Well, huge fines for normal humans. They are less huge for a guy worth $400 billion, which is approximately $399.99 billion more than any one person needs. Even one with twelve kids."
Here's the link: UCEO With Car Company Doesn't Like Reporting Crashes To The 'Merican Gubernment (https://www.wonkette.com/p/elon-musk-owns-a-car-company-feds)
After all, Elmo the Oligarch's main priority is getting to Mars, not dealing with costly gubernment regulations and paperwork.
I've been calling him the Unelected Co-president Elmo the Oligarch (UCEO). But, Adam Kinzinger has publicly taken it to the next level:
"Ex-GOP lawmaker trolls 'Vice President Trump': 'President Elon' is actually in charge"
As per this article:
"Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) trolled President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday as he weighed in on the politics surrounding the collapse of the House spending bill – and made clear who he thinks will really be in charge of the federal government when Trump returns to the White House.
Kinzinger said Wednesday's derailment of the temporary spending bill made clear what the next four years of "President Elon" – backed by "Vice President Trump" – will look like."
Here's the link: Ex-GOP Lawmaker Says 'President Elon' Is Actually In Charge (https://www.rawstory.com/trump-musk-2670493613/)
I have no idea whether or not there are going to be any real consequences to Elmo because of his current behavior. So, I'm not going to make any predictions. I'm going to simply wait and see what happens, along with everyone else.
It turns out Adam Kinzinger isn't the only one publicly talking about "Vice President Trump."
According to "Dems Troll 'Vice President' Trump as Musk Meddles With Government Funding Bill (https://www.thedailybeast.com/dems-troll-vice-president-trump-as-musk-meddles-with-government-funding-bill/)" on The Daily Beast, New York Representative Daniel Goldman, Washington Representative Pramila Jayapal, and Georgia Representative Hank Johnson also used the same title, while Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders outright used "President Musk." In addition, "The term "President Musk" also started trending on X, which he owns."
Now, if this trend continues and grows, there "may" actually be some real consequences to Elmo the Oligarch. But, that also may only be wishful thinking on my part, because I suspect TSF will let Elmo the Oligarch do anything he wants, as long as Elmo can talk his good buddy Putin into allowing TSF to build a shiny TSF Tower in Moscow. So, again, I'm going to simply wait and see what happens, along with everyone else.
The President Musk Meme has officially reached the floor of the House of Representatives:
"Rep. DeLauro: GOP Is Scared Of Dumb Old President Musk"
As per this article:
"You gotta love it when a Democrat gets fired up and speaks what is already running through everyone's mind:
They write the bill. They post the bill. They agreed on a bill. And you know what? They got scared because President Musk told them, President Musk said, don't do it, don't do it. Shut the government down. Imagine. What does he know about what people go through is when the government shuts down. Are his employees furloughed? Hell no. Is he furloughed? No. And when you shut the government down, people don't get paid. And maybe if none of us got paid, if the government shut down, some people on the other side of the aisle would feel differently about where we're going in this effort."
Here's the link: Representative DeLauro Says Out Loud On House Floor What Everyone Is Thinking (https://crooksandliars.com/2024/12/rep-delauro-gop-scared-dumb-old-president)
For my part, I've decided that Elmo the Oligarch's title now deserves an upgrade. From now on, I'm going to refer to him as our new Unelected Shadow Co-president Elmo the Oligarch (USCEO). I think it has a ring to it.
The Republicult™ needs to be confronted about this real injustice:
Unelected Shadow Co-president Elmo the Oligarch (USCEO) is the ultimate example of an immigrant stealing a 'Merican's job.
So, according to the media, Unelected Shadow Co-president Elmo the Oligarch (USCEO) is having a disagreement with, of all people, RFK Jr.
"Elon Musk Dramatically Puts MAGA Split With RFK Jr. on Display"
As per this article:
"Elon Musk has picked another fight in Donald Trump's inner circle with a Christmas challenge to Robert F. Kennedy Jr."
And, further along in this article:
"Musk is gloating about his trimmer figure in the posts about the drug. Mounjaro, works like Ozempic, slowing down how quickly food is digested and helping with weight loss.
But he also appears to be trolling Kennedy, Trump's pick as Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has made no secret of his opposition to drugs as a primary method of battling obesity."
Here's the link: USCEO versus RFK Jr. (https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-dramatically-puts-maga-split-with-rfk-jr-on-display-with-santa-post/)
Seriously, is there really any doubt about who TTSS is going to side with in this disagreement?
I think the descriptor "Total Mayhem" is a bit hyperbolic, but I still find this article to be amusing:
"MAGA in Total Mayhem as Laura Loomer Goes to War With Elon Musk"
As per this article:
"Right-wing influencer and Donald Trump gadfly Laura Loomer is attacking Elon Musk, seemingly over his desire for more immigrants to work and study in science and technology fields in the United States.
In several posts on X Thursday, Loomer railed against Musk and his influence on Trump. She attacked Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" project with Vivek Ramaswamy, calling it a "vanity project" on Wednesday before accusing it as a smokescreen for "the pet projects of tech bro billionaires" on Thursday. She also claimed that there would be a falling out between Musk and Trump soon."
Here's the link: Laura Loomer versus the USCEO (https://newrepublic.com/post/189682/maga-laura-loomer-elon-musk-fight)
As TTSS has already kicked Loomer to the curb, I don't see her attack on his USCEO going anywhere. And, I'm now not optimistic that TTSS, or any of the other members of the First Crime Family, will cut themselves off from the assets of the richest prick on the planet. Right now, I think they're all just too greedy to even seriously consider the possibility.
They got what they needed out of him, 100mil for the war chest, they have used him and will now discard him.
Quote from: Faust on December 27, 2024, 04:06:29 PMThey got what they needed out of him, 100mil for the war chest, they have used him and will now discard him.
No, not yet. :lulz:
Not until he plays the villain with DOGE. Then he'll be forced out or have a sudden health condition, and the blame for the wreckage will be hung around his neck.
That's a good point they can do a whole pile of awful in a very short space of time and then blame the civilian advisor who was out of his depth.
I didn't think about that but they can pile that high
Quote from: Faust on December 27, 2024, 05:24:35 PMThat's a good point they can do a whole pile of awful in a very short space of time and then blame the civilian advisor who was out of his depth.
I didn't think about that but they can pile that high
Trump isn't that savvy, but Stephen Miller most certainly is.
Is it even possible to overestimate the depths of TTSS's greed?
Given that Bannon is a populist who advocates increasing taxes on the wealthy, I suppose this was inevitable:
"Steve Bannon Joins War Against Elon Musk as MAGA Implodes"
As per this article:
"Steve Bannon has joined the MAGA war between hard-line immigration opponents and tech executives like Elon Musk, taking the side of xenophobia on his War Room show Friday.
"H-1B visas? That's not what it's about. It's about taking American jobs and bringing over essentially what have become indentured servants at lower wages," the former Trump adviser turned pundit said, referring to the visa program that allows immigrants in specialized fields to work in the United States temporarily.
"This thing's a scam by the oligarchs in Silicon Valley to basically take jobs from American citizens, give them to what become indentured servants from foreign countries, and then pay 'em less. Simple. To let them in through the golden door," Bannon added."
Here's the link: Steve Bannon versus the USCEO (https://newrepublic.com/post/189694/steve-bannon-maga-war-elon-musk-immigration)
I don't subscribe to the believe that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. But, this is a case where I'm perfectly fine with one of my enemies fighting another one of my enemies.
I'm shocked! Shocked I say, to read something like this in the 'Merican media!
"MAGA Civil Warriors: Free Speech Guy Elon Is Silencing Us"
"Dozens of pro-Trump X accounts have reported losing their verification badges after criticizing Musk."
As per this article:
"Members of MAGA nation are saying that Elon Musk, an avowed "free speech absolutist," is silencing them by stripping away their verification badges on X, the social media platform that he owns.
The South African-born multibillionaire has emerged as the central target in a MAGA civil war that erupted on Thursday after his Department of Government Efficiency co-head, Vivek Ramaswamy, made a controversial X post claiming, "American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long."
The schism has centered on Musk and Ramaswamy's support for importing talented workers from outside the U.S., using H1B visas.
When Musk bought Twitter in October 2022, renaming it X, one of his stated goals was to make the platform a free speech haven. During the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, Musk emerged as a close ally of Donald Trump.
Now, dozens of pro-Trump accounts say they are losing their verification check marks after disagreeing with Musk and Ramaswamy over H1B visas."
Here's the link: MAGAts versus the USCEO (https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-civil-warriors-free-speech-guy-elon-musk-is-silencing-us/)
I suspect that when the MAGAts heard the South African apartheidist, who paid $44 billion to buy his very own media outlet, proclaim he was a "free speech absolutist," they thought he was talking "about them," rather than "to to them." After all, no one has ever claimed that thinking is the MAGAts strong suit.
Quote from: Brother Mythos on December 27, 2024, 07:01:41 PMIs it even possible to overestimate the depths of TTSS's greed?
"Trump supports immigration visas backed by Musk: 'I have many H-1B visas on my properties'"As per this article:
"President-elect Trump told The Post Saturday he supports immigration visas for highly skilled workers, appearing to side with Elon Musk in the roiling intra-MAGA debate on the issue.
"I've always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That's why we have them," Trump said by phone, referring to the H-1B program, which permits companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations.
"I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I've been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It's a great program," added Trump, who restricted access to foreign worker visas in his first administration and has been critical of the program in the past."
Here's the link:
TTSS Backs USCEO on H-1B Visas (https://nypost.com/2024/12/28/us-news/donald-trump-backs-h-1b-visa-program-supported-by-elon-musk/)
Imagine my surprise upon reading that TTSS followed the money.
Quote from: Brother Mythos on December 27, 2024, 06:28:44 AMI think the descriptor "Total Mayhem" is a bit hyperbolic, but I still find this article to be amusing:
"MAGA in Total Mayhem as Laura Loomer Goes to War With Elon Musk"
As per this article:
"Right-wing influencer and Donald Trump gadfly Laura Loomer is attacking Elon Musk, seemingly over his desire for more immigrants to work and study in science and technology fields in the United States.
In several posts on X Thursday, Loomer railed against Musk and his influence on Trump. She attacked Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" project with Vivek Ramaswamy, calling it a "vanity project" on Wednesday before accusing it as a smokescreen for "the pet projects of tech bro billionaires" on Thursday. She also claimed that there would be a falling out between Musk and Trump soon."
Here's the link: Laura Loomer versus the USCEO (https://newrepublic.com/post/189682/maga-laura-loomer-elon-musk-fight)
As TTSS has already kicked Loomer to the curb, I don't see her attack on his USCEO going anywhere. And, I'm now not optimistic that TTSS, or any of the other members of the First Crime Family, will cut themselves off from the assets of the richest prick on the planet. Right now, I think they're all just too greedy to even seriously consider the possibility.
As full of nonsense as Loomer usually is she had some very good things to say about just why Musk and Ramaswami support visas for skilled workers, it's not because they want the best talent, like they claim, it's because they don't want to pay high wages and she backed it up with numbers and sources.
H1B come with handcuff clauses 2-4 years in the tech sector it allows you to pay low and have a continuity double the industry average turnover. Europe has the same style exploitation for healthcare and technology but there must be pay parity, no low rate
Here's a MSM pundit's current take on the possibility of a future showdown between TTSS and his USCEO:
"What the visa feud says about the coming Trump administration"
As per the last paragraphs of this article:
"The uproar over tech visas also revived one of the transition's most intriguing questions. How long will Trump tolerate Musk's capacity to dominate political debate in a way that only he can match? Skeptics are convinced that the president-elect will soon tire of Musk's ubiquity. Democrats have already tried to fracture their relationship by referring to "President Musk." And the lesson of Trump's first term is that those who overshadow him soon find themselves exiting his orbit or becoming a scapegoat when things go wrong.
This may be how things develop. But both Trump and Musk have huge incentives to stick together. Musk will never be able to replicate the inside government perch that he can use to promote his interests. And Republicans will be banking on the SpaceX chief's financial might as the midterm elections approach after he poured tens of millions of dollars into Trump's 2024 campaign.
But a deeper reality may postpone a possible schism between Trump and Musk. Each has the capacity to wreak destruction on the other. The president-elect will soon be able to wield the federal government as an instrument of revenge. But someone as social media savvy as Trump, who's spun falsehoods into a reality to which millions of Americans are committed, would surely balk at making an enemy of the man who controls X."
Here's the link: Will There Really Be Only One? (https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/30/politics/trump-musk-h1b-visa-analysis/index.html)
As of right now, it appears that TTSS's greed is overriding trumping his malignant narcissism. So, the question I would love to know the answer to is as follows:
"Is the USCEO capable of repressing his own massive ego, and sucking up to TTSS in furtherance of his own herculean goal of placing humans on Mars?"
Apparently, I'm not the only one whose initial thought was that the Cybertruck explosion in Vegas was just a Tesla being a Tesla:
(http://i.imgur.com/q0GMAaw.jpg)
This is one of the reasons, possibly the main reason, why the USCEO has invested so much of his money in TTSS:
"Moon over Mars? Congress is determined to kill Elon Musk's space dream."
"The Trump ally wants the U.S. to forgo the lunar surface for the red planet. He faces one problem: Congress."
As per this article:
"Trump confidant Elon Musk wants NASA to drop its ambitious plans to return to the moon and instead head straight to Mars. Congress is ready to put up a fight.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who control NASA's purse strings, want Americans to return to the lunar surface in 2027 — and they're not willing to abandon that mission despite Musk's obsession with skipping the moon for Mars."
Here's the link: Moon or Mars? The USCEO Wants Mars (https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/13/mars-vs-moon-elon-musk-congress-fight-00197610)
So, we may soon see how well the USCEO's investment in TTSS has paid off so far.
This should to be interesting:
Elon Musk's 'Doge' expected to be sued moments after Trump's swearing-in (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/20/elon-musk-doge-lawsuit)
"Lawsuit will challenge legality of 'department of government efficiency', by alleging it violates federal rules"
As per this article:
Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency" (Doge) program is expected to be sued within minutes of Donald Trump being sworn in.
The 30-page lawsuit, obtained by The Washington Post, challenges the legality of the government advisory committee Donald Trump claims he'll create, by alleging it violates federal transparency rules on disclosure, hiring and other practices.
The public interest law firm National Security Counselors says in the claim that Musk's efficiency panel meets the bar to be considered a "federal advisory committee" but fails to have "fairly balanced" representation, keep records of its meetings and be open to public scrutiny, as required by law."
No doubt the John Roberts Kangaroo Kourt will bend over backwards in their attempt to legitimize the USCEO's DOGE. So, for right now, we can all sit back and watch their contortions for their entertainment value.
Still, I think the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) should be renamed to something like the "Department of Oligarch's Dodging Taxes" (DOODT). And, perhaps, with a little more effort I can come up with another name and acronym that is truly, unmistakably derogatory.
Quote from: Abbot Mythos on January 13, 2025, 06:43:35 PMThis is one of the reasons, possibly the main reason, why the USCEO has invested so much of his money in TTSS:
"Moon over Mars? Congress is determined to kill Elon Musk's space dream."
"The Trump ally wants the U.S. to forgo the lunar surface for the red planet. He faces one problem: Congress."
As per this article:
"Trump confidant Elon Musk wants NASA to drop its ambitious plans to return to the moon and instead head straight to Mars. Congress is ready to put up a fight.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who control NASA's purse strings, want Americans to return to the lunar surface in 2027 — and they're not willing to abandon that mission despite Musk's obsession with skipping the moon for Mars."
Here's the link: Moon or Mars? The USCEO Wants Mars (https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/13/mars-vs-moon-elon-musk-congress-fight-00197610)
So, we may soon see how well the USCEO's investment in TTSS has paid off so far.
It's America's 'Manifest Destiny' to plant a flag on Mars, Trump says (https://www.npr.org/2025/01/20/g-s1-43861/mars-nasa-manifest-destiny-trump-inauguration)
Now, that part didn't take long at all, did it, boys and girls? And, of course, there's still a lot more to be done after merely making a very public Inauguration Day announcement. So, stay tuned.
Oh, and before I forget, you might also want to remember to FOLLOW THE MONEY, 'cause that's what TTSS has been known to do.
Musk's salute seems like one more step towards the rift, when he gets deported Trump can use that as evidence he's against fascism after all.
It appears the USCEO is quite confident he has TTSS under control, and has no fear of retribution for the following kind of behavior:
Musk trolls Trump's €500B AI mega plan (https://www.politico.eu/article/us-elon-musk-troll-donald-trump-500b-ai-plan/)
"The tech billionaire and close ally of the U.S. president sniped at one of the White House's first major proposals."
As per the article:
"Tech billionaire Elon Musk poured cold water Wednesday on a landmark half-a-trillion dollar artificial intelligence (AI) initiative trumpeted by U.S. President Donald Trump.
His criticism marks an early break between Musk, one of Trump's closest advisers during the presidential transition, and the Republican leader, underscoring the potential for rifts on key policy issues in Trump's broad coalition.
Trump announced Tuesday that several technology giants, including OpenAI, Oracle and MGX, plus Japanese investment company SoftBank, would invest about $500 billion in building data centers in the U.S. over four years. He touted the project, known as Stargate, as "the largest AI infrastructure project by far in history.""
It next remains to be seen where the USCEO sets up office in Washington D.C. That is, will he be relegated to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, or given space in the West Wing of the White House?
Frankly I would be disappointed if he doesnt get private access via the JFK Secret mistress trapdoor under the desk of the oval office
Quote from: Faust on January 22, 2025, 09:49:46 PMFrankly I would be disappointed if he doesnt get private access via the JFK Secret mistress trapdoor under the desk of the oval office
I tried to come up with a witty, non-obscene retort, but I got nothin'.
Anyway, I haven't seen anything about the following in the 'Merican MSM. But, the British and, strangely enough for me, the Indian media are running this story:
Trump's 'ice maiden' freezes Elon Musk out of West Wing (https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/susie-wiles-chief-of-staff-elon-musk-wp0pfkxrx)
I'm inclined to score this as being one skirmish won by TTSS's current White House Chief of Staff, in what is going to be a long war.
She will want him reporting to her because she doesn't want him pulling any surprises...
Like giving a speech to neo nazis
In Germany
On holocaust remembrance day
Telling them to stop feeling guilty.
He is either a full on nazi or being used to distract and soak negative press from trump in a badcop awful cop routine
And honestly I'm not sure which option is worse, being a nazi or larping one for personal gains
Quote from: Faust on January 26, 2025, 09:57:05 PMAnd honestly I'm not sure which option is worse, being a nazi or larping one for personal gains
Yes, it's "a distinction without a difference" to me.
I'm starting to see this pejorative on political and social media sites:
"swasticars" (https://x.com/NVallangi/status/1883525982482755602)
Now, my knowledge of the German language is limited to the vocabulary spoken on Hogans Heroes. So, I have to ask, is "Swatsticar Heil!" grammatically correct? Or would a neo-nazi shout "Heil Swatsticar!" instead?
This is unexpected, pleasantly surprising news:
Priest Defrocked After Copying Elon Musk's Salute at Pro-Life Summit (https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/calvin-robinson-defrocked-copying-elon-musk-salute-1235250963/)
"Father Calvin Robinson was booted from the Anglican Catholic Church's ministry after repeated warnings about his political activities"
But, it won't come as much of a surprise if the USCEO gives Mr. Robinson a job in his administration, after he lifts the TSS's federal hiring freeze, of course.
I read this article about political strategist Chai Komanduri's opinion of Elmo the Oligarch back in November, but did not post anything about it on this forum at the time. But today, as I was cleaning up my political bookmarks, I realized that what Mr. Komanduri had to say a few months ago about our powerful USCEO has stood the test of time. So, here's the article:
'He saw an opportunity': Analyst says key Trump ally poised to take over as king of MAGA (https://www.rawstory.com/elon-musk-king-maga/)
As per this article:
"Elon Musk's motive for aligning himself with Donald Trump and MAGA world may not be as clear cut as it seems, according to a political analyst who said the tech billionaire has positioned himself as the new owner of the Republican Party and MAGA movement.
Think of Musk as the "man behind the curtain," said political strategist Chai Komanduri, except "he is dancing and prancing in front of the curtain."
"Trump 2.0 is very much looking like Elon Musk 1.0, he has taken over Trump and MAGA and the Republican Party in a manner that is very similar to the way Trump and MAGA took over the Republican Party 8-10 years ago," Komanduri said on Friday."
As I've already written, it is my opinion that one of Elmo the Oligarch's major motives for aligning himself with the TSS and the MAGAts is to gain access to the vast government funds and resources needed by the USCEO to establish his colony on Mars. I see Elmo as being an amoral opportunist who is strikingly similar to Wernher von Braun, another space "pioneer." That is, he is willing to align himself with anyone, and any group who will help him achieve his own personal objectives. It occurs to me that perhaps our ancestors unconsciously identified something sinister in the human psyche when they associated the Red Planet with Ares/Mars, their god of war.
Chai Komanduri uses the following address on Bluesky social media: @chaikomanduri.bsky.social
I hope I'm wrong, but I don't believe even this MSM news will outrage someone as greedy as the TSS enough for him to order the USCEO to hit the road:
New Time Cover Shows Elon Musk Sitting Behind Trump's Resolute Desk (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/elon-musk-time-cover-trump-white-house_n_67a62d50e4b02af505a31ffc)
For what it's worth, I think we're going to have to get much, much closer to the 2026 midterm elections, and their probable bad polling numbers for the Disloyal Opposition Party, before the TSS's sense of self-preservation outweighs his massive greed. Again, I hope I'm wrong about this.
Actually, this one is an article on "The Onion."
Elon Musk Offers Self $10 Billion Federal Buyout (https://theonion.com/elon-musk-offers-self-10-billion-federal-buyout/)
It's an onion article, for now.
Quote from: Faust on February 09, 2025, 10:52:52 PMIt's an onion article, for now.
You may find it of interest that Chai Komanduri, @chaikomanduri.bsky.social, is of the same opinion. That's where I first saw the article from "The Onion."
Here's the specific link: https://bsky.app/profile/chaikomanduri.bsky.social/post/3lhcv52uw2k2k
I thanked him for bringing it to my attention.
:lulz:
The writer of this long article offers an explanation for the TSS's behavior that would have never crossed my mind. So, if you have an interest in 'Merican politics and human behavior, or in 'Merican politics and the TSS's and USCEO's behavior, you may not regret having taken the time to read this:
Why the "President Elon Musk" mockery doesn't seem to bother Donald Trump (https://www.salon.com/2025/02/07/why-the-president-elon-musk-mockery-doesnt-seem-to-bother-donald/)
As per this article:
"Trump ... : It's way more fun to be the facsimile than the real thing. He barely showed up at the office in his first term, and clearly hated every minute of actual work. Whether they've explicitly discussed it or not, it appears he and Musk have a deal: One will do the annoying dirty work of illegally smashing up the federal bureaucracy, while the other pretends to be a president for the cameras and fanfare. Trump gets to sign papers and get his picture taken. He gets to do fun reality-TV villain stuff, like threatening tariffs but mostly not enacting them, because that would create consequences he doesn't want to deal with. As with being a fake businessman on "The Apprentice," being a fake president is much better than the real thing. He gets all the ego-fluffing and attention, while not having to think about stuff, much less do any work."
Now, while I'm not willing to abandon my super simple FOLLOW THE MONEY theory yet, I'm not going to dismiss this writer's alternate theory out of hand, as she appears to have put some serious thought into it.
As Elmo just announced he's forming his very own political party, it's obvious he's no longer the Unelected Shadow Co-president Elmo the Oligarch (USCEO). Now, he is, of course, still an oligarch. But, it looks like he was outbid for the attention of the sociopath-in-chief by Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, and who knows what other oligarchs.
I am, however, surprised that Elmo chose as bland a name as the "America Party" for his new investment. But, I'm guessing some marketing weasel told him that calling it the "X Party" wasn't going to make it marketable. And, while calling it the Scorned Oligarch Party (SOP) would have been truthful, that name is even less marketable.
Anyway, Elmo's new third party thingy could turn out to be interesting. Now, I don't see Elmo's party ever attracting more than a handful of discontented voters. After all, 'Mericans are far to apathetic, and tribal, for that to ever have any realistic chance of happening. But, I don't believe forming a real political party is Elmo's true objective. I suspect this is all just a cover story for an attempt to buy off a few members of the House of Representatives, and maybe even a senator, or two. I mean, seriously, are there any Republicult™ members of congress who aren't in it for the money? Any at all? And, Elmo still has plenty of money, even if he didn't want to pay the sociopath-in-chief's asking price for NASA.
I write this because gaining control of just a handful of Republicult™ members of congress would give Elmo all the leverage he needs to take over NASA, and to run the show in Washington, D.C. again.
Let the games continue!
I find this to be an interesting move by Elmo the Oligarch:
Elon Musk Donates $5M to Trump — Weeks After Claiming He's Covering Up Epstein Files Because He's In Them (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/elon-musk-donates-5m-to-trump-weeks-after-claiming-hes-covering-up-epstein-files-because-hes-in-them/)
But, what about that "American Party" thingy? Has the party been canceled, or what? And, I see that NASA is still being run by an "acting administrator."
So, I suspect NASA is still on the market, and Elmo just spent $15M to see if he can buy his way back into the Turd Reich.