Trump and Musk Press Conference

It was certainly an interesting watch.

My question is: what was the child doing there? He was clearly fidgetty and looked bored. So did the child sitting Elon Musks's shoulders.

Musk mentioned how he was rooting out the unelected bureaucrats not realising that he was describing himself!

You couldn't make this stuff up.

It's difficult to know whether to laugh or cry. There is a hint of disapproval from Trump but Musk will be a dangerous and difficult man to remove from American politics.

Musk is still getting government contracts for his firms. Last year it amounted to $3.67 billions and he's just got another one. You're right Boz - dangerous and difficult. Can Trump actually see this threat to his own power?

Here's a reference from USA yesterday evening our time to that joint effort 10 min video plus written commentary on Musk/Trump partnership

abcnews.go.com/Politics/elon-musks-government-dismantling-fight-stop/story?id=118576033

"Trump, Elon Musk discuss efforts to reshape federal govt. from Oval OfficeMusk spoke with the U.S. media for the first time since Trump's inauguration, claiming that the goal of DOGE was to "restore democracy."

what was the child doing there

Picking his nose apparently

I’m sorry, I haven’t seen the footage of this, maybe I’ll see it later today.

My theory on the child is that ever since the 'assassination' attempt on Trump, Musk has carried a child with him for protection.

Wyllow3

Here's a reference from USA yesterday evening our time to that joint effort 10 min video plus written commentary on Musk/Trump partnership

abcnews.go.com/Politics/elon-musks-government-dismantling-fight-stop/story?id=118576033

"Trump, Elon Musk discuss efforts to reshape federal govt. from Oval OfficeMusk spoke with the U.S. media for the first time since Trump's inauguration, claiming that the goal of DOGE was to "restore democracy."

I honestly find the whole situation scary.

Now that could very well be true HPQ.

I don’t think I’d have used my child in that way though and I’m pretty sure neither would any Gransnetters.

I saw this, Musk - the unelected billionaire - was holding forth about about government policy at some length whilst Trump simply sat and listened.
Was like watching a badly written satire.

Although written some time ago...it's very relevant now I think!

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/12/elon-musk-spacex-twitter-x-russia-ukraine

Incredible... and what's with the hat? It is the hallowed room of the nation ... show some manners and respect and take off your hat! and the coat

maddyone

Now that could very well be true HPQ.

I don’t think I’d have used my child in that way though and I’m pretty sure neither would any Gransnetters.

Indeed we would not, but then again we generally have a different view to Musk on what constitutes family and how to raise them, let alone conceive them. Did you know that he reportedly offers his sperm?
according to an October New York Times report, an incident where he offered some spermatozoa, as casually as you might pass the salt, to a married couple ...19 Nov 2024

YUK

HousePlantQueen

My theory on the child is that ever since the 'assassination' attempt on Trump, Musk has carried a child with him for protection.

You could just be right there HPQ. Good point.
I wondered if it might be that Musk was hoping with a child present the huge press presence might go easier on him!

I think it’s all part of Musk’s ‘I’m a disrupter’ act - deliberately demonstrating an open lack of respect for the office and therefore the establishment. I can bring my kid in here etc. It’s all a big game to Musk.

I thought Trump looked a bit lost actually - he was physically lower than Musk (not a good look) and he (Trump) didn’t look like the one in charge.

Hopefully the bromance will end in tears - sooner rather than later.

No I didn’t know that .
I agree YUK.

Its trying to say, hi, I'm just a regular guy, a family man ...just popped round to see my mate

oh, and destroy anything good or generous or inclusive...

Trump, puppet like, in the video, said "I didn't realise how bad things were (until my mate Musk came along)

Just read heart-breaking reports of USAID workers in Africa having to tell their local partners, "no more money for famine or HIV projects" - no one has given them dates, clear orders to come home, nothing for families to come home to..

The more Musk struts about, the older and less capable Trump looks. He is out of his depth, and was never very smart in his prime, to see him standing there talking about Bitcoin and such is pathetic, he obviously doesn't know what he is talking about. As long as he makes money, he is happy. Has anyone else noticed how little his freeloading family are involved in this administration compared to his last time? Maybe they are put out at being usurped by the 'favourite'.

I hope so.

An American article on Musk yesterday:

“After President Trump’s inauguration last month, Elon Musk embarked on his plan to slash government spending – and he’s been doing it with gusto. Yesterday, the billionaire appeared in the Oval Office to give an awkward speech on how his Department of Government Efficiency had already discovered “billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse,” adding that it might unearth “close to a trillion dollars” in waste by the time it was done. He then went on to label the federal bureaucracy as a fourth unelected branch of government that does nothing but waste federal funds.

During that same press session, Trump signed an executive order hoping to “significantly reduce the size of government” by instructing heads of federal departments and agencies to create plans for “large-scale reductions in force.” Under the new order, federal agencies will be instructed to “hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart” after its current hiring freeze is ended, and new hires will all have to be approved by a “DOGE Team Lead.”

”…and new hires will all have to be approved by a “DOGE Team Lead.”

Says it all really!

It’s just like some recurring nightmare, Trump and Musk really are the gifts which keep giving!

FriedGreenTomatoes2

An American article on Musk yesterday:

“After President Trump’s inauguration last month, Elon Musk embarked on his plan to slash government spending – and he’s been doing it with gusto. Yesterday, the billionaire appeared in the Oval Office to give an awkward speech on how his Department of Government Efficiency had already discovered “billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse,” adding that it might unearth “close to a trillion dollars” in waste by the time it was done. He then went on to label the federal bureaucracy as a fourth unelected branch of government that does nothing but waste federal funds.

During that same press session, Trump signed an executive order hoping to “significantly reduce the size of government” by instructing heads of federal departments and agencies to create plans for “large-scale reductions in force.” Under the new order, federal agencies will be instructed to “hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart” after its current hiring freeze is ended, and new hires will all have to be approved by a “DOGE Team Lead.”

context: this article came from that well known journal the Daily Pnut

dailypnut.com/2025/02/russia-ukraine-trump-elon-and-pigs-teeth/

However, the Pnut then goes on to say

Despite Musk’s apparent distaste for government spending, he sure has benefited from it a great deal Over the last decade, Musk’s companies SpaceX and Tesla were awarded at least $18 billion in federal contracts, according to spending data.

Trading Rocks For Better Prospects

You might call it bald-faced extortion on a global scale, but he would probably describe it as “the art of the deal

It was a bizarre watch🤔
Musk seemed disconnected to his child so why was he there at all? He was very well behaved I thought, in a very boring scenario for a four year old.Was Mom at the beauty salon?😁
The whole scene reminded me of an episode on tv once where the old ailing King sits by while his wizard steps forward and makes decisions for him while those present all look worried.

It is a bizarre watch. One wonders what other members of Trumps "Cabinet" really think of Musk..

HousePlantQueen

The more Musk struts about, the older and less capable Trump looks. He is out of his depth, and was never very smart in his prime, to see him standing there talking about Bitcoin and such is pathetic, he obviously doesn't know what he is talking about. As long as he makes money, he is happy. Has anyone else noticed how little his freeloading family are involved in this administration compared to his last time? Maybe they are put out at being usurped by the 'favourite'.

I hope so.

I quite agree HousePlantQueen, its a crazy situation