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Why is Musk going - and when.

(61 Posts)
Wyllow3 Thu 03-Apr-25 13:28:42

Officially according to the White House Musk

“"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” (thats the end of May)

Politico however points out to the many tensions and conflicts caused by him in the administration, to the point where Musk is becoming more of a liability than an asset.

It can be argued that he has acted as s shield for Trump on the DOGE cuts, but he’s also made an almighty mess with some of them that has created contradictory messages and unknown effects that could last for a long time and can still “rebound” and give cause for law suits and demonstrations against the administration.

www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/04/02/trump-musk-leaving-political-liability-00265784

Whether it will stop him making pronouncments on X how we in Europe should conduct ourselves, and stop his interference in our domestic matters, including possibly giving large amounts of money to affect UK politics, campaigning for example for Tommy Robinson, is another matter.

BlessedArt Sun 06-Apr-25 18:18:30

@David,

The Trump administration just deported an American from Maryland to a prison in El Salvador, defying a judge’s order to return the man home. No trial, no proven crime. The prosecutor who told the judge the truth about the government’s error has been suspended for telling the truth in court. Maybe it’s free for those of a certain skin colour, but it is becoming decidedly less so by the day.

Cossy Sun 06-Apr-25 18:28:42

“Been liberated of about $60k in retirement savings since January 6th. 32 years of work, paid taxes, took nothing from the
government, and as I approach the finish line this orange (deleted) kicks me in the nuts. Happy Days and thanks to all the Drumpf supporters who made this possible.”

The above is lifted directly from Facebook. An ex colleague of mine who moved to the USA about 33 years ago! He’s one angry gentleman!

BlessedArt Sun 06-Apr-25 18:30:37

Additionally, American citizens are reporting being stopped and detained at the border coming back from Mexico. What are the chances these Americans are not white citizens? I’d say pretty high. Not to mention the students being detained and deported who were there perfectly legally. I am not sure about this “freedom” when people are being targeted due to race and political opposition. Law firms are being targeted for doing their jobs. I can only surmise that a type of privileged allows one to downplay what’s happening.

imaround Sun 06-Apr-25 18:39:17

BlessedArt

It’s not hyperbolic, FGT.

He literally destroyed institutions, particularly those aimed at helping the poor or minorities. Medical and scientific research institutions such as the NIH have been destroyed. The Education Dept has been destroyed. It’s only hyperbolic to those that have the luxury of watching from an ocean away. Iamaround is in the States. I think she’d know hmm

It doesn't matter what evidence is shown on what Trump and Musk are doing, even when we can see people slives being ruined in the US. FGT chooses not to believe any of it. It's all hyperbole now. Before it was an exaggeration.

I am happy to be proven wrong at any point. So far, that hasn't happened.

Cossy Sun 06-Apr-25 18:55:14

imaround If only it was!!

Perhaps we will all wake up and find Trumpie isn’t POTUS, it was all a dream!!

Just like Dallas!

imaround Sun 06-Apr-25 19:01:29

Lord I wish that was the case. smile

Cossy Sun 06-Apr-25 19:06:39

imaround

Lord I wish that was the case. smile

You’re certainly not alone flowers

Allira Sun 06-Apr-25 19:50:39

David49

Wyllow3

Protection against whom?

Seems to me the US is getting less "Free" and is going into isolation, and the power Trump imagined he had in "sorting" Ukraine and the Middle East showed him the limits of his powers.

The US is free enough, we can travel there, they can travel here freely, they are not going to lock my sister in law up for supporting Harris.

Protection against Russia or any other invaders, Europe can do very little on its own and won’t be able to for at least 10 yrs.

Of course we could decide not to do business with Trumps US, no exports, no imports, until that day arrives we make a deal with him.

Well they locked up a British girl and put her in chains for unwittingly having the wrong visa.

Churchview Sun 06-Apr-25 21:03:51

Three members of British band the UK Subs were refused entry to the US and put through an ordeal by airport officials and the police.

"“Two police officers escorted me to another section of LAX, where I found Stefan and Marc already detained in a cold holding pen, along with a group of Colombian, Chinese, and Mexican detainees. My luggage, phone, and passport were confiscated.”

These aren't young threatening men - they are aged 57 to 69.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/21/uk-subs-band-detained-deported

Wyllow3 Sun 06-Apr-25 23:33:19

In a similar situation to UK Subs, a French researcher was denied entry to the US earlier this month after immigration officers at an airport searched his phone and found messages in which he had expressed criticisms of the Trump administration.

In response to the news Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister of higher education and research, said: “This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher’s phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy.”

nanna8 Mon 07-Apr-25 04:48:28

Well that’s the US crossed off the bucket list. It will save a bit of money at least.

Chocolatelovinggran Mon 07-Apr-25 07:38:13

Indeed nanna8- I have found, on previous visits to the US, that I am asked, often, by enthusiastic locals - " What do you think of our lovely country/ state/ city?" and " What do you think of our President?"
An honest response to the latter question would see me bound for El Salvador in a nanosecond.
Best I wait until 2029.

imaround Mon 07-Apr-25 17:16:17

You might want to stay off US based Cruise ships too nanna8. There is speculation that employee cuts to the CDC will halt the Vessel Sanitation Program for US ports.

We already deal with outbreaks of mostly gastrointestinal issues on cruise ships. I cant imagine how bad it will be once no one is watching close enough.

BlessedArt Mon 07-Apr-25 22:15:05

Speaking of cuts to the CDC, anti-vaxer conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr had to pay a visit to Texas over the last couple of days. Why? Because the Measles outbreak with 600 and counting known infections has just killed another unvaccinated child.

I’m guessing those cuts to the CDC are supposed to help the situation?

His anti-vaccination stance is “safe enough” I suppose. Make America Healthier by cutting funding to health programs that educate and provide free vaccinations! Trump and co are brilliant at putting America first hmm according to some onlookers.

imaround Mon 07-Apr-25 22:34:41

What is really sad about RFK is that he actually has some good ideas that I would love being implemented. Like no high fructose corn syrup or artificial dyes in our food.

Unfortunately, due his desire to put people on anti-depressants on work farms to "cure" them and his anti-proven vaccine stance, the cons outweigh any benefits he would have.

Wyllow3 Mon 07-Apr-25 22:54:23

Surely you are joking? a leading figure of the government is now attacking people with Mental Health, suggesting work farms?

How is that going down with the many ordinary voters who need that sort of help? is this widely known?

imaround Mon 07-Apr-25 22:59:30

I wish I was kidding.

www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/04/rfk-wellness-farms-mental-health/682293/

Who do you think is going to replace the migrant farm workers? wink

Macadia Mon 07-Apr-25 23:08:45

Musk is not doing anything his boss has not ordered him to do. The tragic blame with spending audits and department down-sizing in the US should fall on Trump.

imaround Mon 07-Apr-25 23:23:16

Absolutely 100%. Trump is leading the charge, unconstitutional and illegal as it is.

Wyllow3 Mon 07-Apr-25 23:27:26

But a lot of Republicans will have MH problems of varying kinds. How are they supposed to feel about this?

and Musk

“There are times when I have sort of a … negative chemical state in my brain, like depression I guess, or depression that’s not linked to any negative news, and ketamine is helpful for getting one out of the negative frame of mind,” Musk told Lemon. Musk added that he has a prescription for the drug from “an actual, real doctor” and uses “a small amount once every other week or something like that.

imaround Mon 07-Apr-25 23:44:12

It is just another item on the long list of "nothing they do makes sense".

Sadly, RFK suggested Vitamin A for these families and multiple kids ended up being treated for Vit A toxicity.

www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/texas-children-poisoned-rfk-jr-vitamin-a-measles-treatment/

Macadia Mon 07-Apr-25 23:52:14

Wyllow3

But a lot of Republicans will have MH problems of varying kinds. How are they supposed to feel about this?

and Musk

“There are times when I have sort of a … negative chemical state in my brain, like depression I guess, or depression that’s not linked to any negative news, and ketamine is helpful for getting one out of the negative frame of mind,” Musk told Lemon. Musk added that he has a prescription for the drug from “an actual, real doctor” and uses “a small amount once every other week or something like that.

Ketamine is a legally prescribed anti depressant medication in the US.

Macadia Mon 07-Apr-25 23:54:32

imaround

Absolutely 100%. Trump is leading the charge, unconstitutional and illegal as it is.

Trump has been dodging rules and regulations his whole life. That will never change. He will be up for a third term in a few years Im sure.

imaround Tue 08-Apr-25 00:16:40

If he keeps this up Macadia, he wont make it that far, hopefully. Depends on how many Republicans push back between now and then.

I feel that, for me, 2028 is so far off right now I cant even think about it. Even 2026 seems like a lifetime away. Right now I am looking at a month at a time, sadly. It is not out of the realm of possibility to think that we could be in the midst of a civil war in one months time! Or, for that matter, a World War the way he is going.

I feel as though these possible scenarios are so out of place normal, I am crazy for thinking it. But at the same time, every day he ups the bar in ridiculous decisions.

Recommendations are going out to the masses to start preparing for a recession. Consumers are pulling back, cutting back to necessities and stocking up needed items. I am not the only person to wonder what is coming and try to prepare I think. Anything is possible at this point.

Wyllow3 Tue 08-Apr-25 00:43:13

Macadia

Wyllow3

But a lot of Republicans will have MH problems of varying kinds. How are they supposed to feel about this?

and Musk

“There are times when I have sort of a … negative chemical state in my brain, like depression I guess, or depression that’s not linked to any negative news, and ketamine is helpful for getting one out of the negative frame of mind,” Musk told Lemon. Musk added that he has a prescription for the drug from “an actual, real doctor” and uses “a small amount once every other week or something like that.

Ketamine is a legally prescribed anti depressant medication in the US.

Yes, it's just the irony of what Kennedy suggests in that situation.