- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
'President Musk' makes his presence felt in Washington
Elon Musk's role in wrecking a bipartisan Congress deal to avert a US government shutdown has underlined his extraordinary influence over the Republican Party and the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
In addition to his usual title of the world's richest man, Democrats are now describing him as "President Musk."
Musk has been tapped by Trump to run the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) agency, but the billionaire is throwing his weight around even before the president-elect takes office on January 20.
On Wednesday, shortly after 4:00 am, the hyperactive owner of Tesla and SpaceX used his social platform X to attack the budget bill hammered out by Republicans and Democrats in Congress to keep the federal government operating.
"This bill should not pass," the 53-year-old Musk wrote in the first of what became a barrage of posts.
"Kill the bill," he exhorted Republican members of the House of Representatives. "This bill is criminal."
A number of Republican lawmakers quickly fell in line, with some even engaging in a bit of flattery.
"In five years in Congress, I've been awaiting a fundamental change in the dynamic," Representative Dan Bishop commented on an X post by Musk. "It has arrived."
Other right-wing members of Congress even went so far as to suggest that the South African-born Musk should take over as House speaker.
Trump himself joined the budget battle later in the day.
The 78-year-old president-elect denounced the spending bill as "ridiculous and extraordinarily expensive."
The dramatic developments left the country facing a government shutdown just days before Christmas.
Musk rejoiced after the bill was torpedoed. "The voice of the people was heard," he said. "This was a good day for America."
He followed up by reposting a picture of himself in front of an American flag with the words "VOX POPULI" and "VOX DEI," a Latin phrase which translates to "the voice of the people is the voice of God."
After the intervention, Republicans in Congress on Thursday came up with a new funding package that satisfied Trump -- and Musk.
- Who's in charge? -
Democrats have painted the tech billionaire as unstable and a megalomaniac, and hope calling him "President Musk" will needle Trump.
"Democrats and Republicans spent months negotiating a bipartisan agreement to fund our government," Senator Bernie Sanders said. "The richest man on Earth, President Elon Musk, doesn't like it.
"Will Republicans kiss the ring?" Sanders asked. "Billionaires must not be allowed to run our government."
Democratic Representative Jim McGovern said "at least we know who's in charge."
"He's president and Trump is now vice president," McGovern said.
Speaking on CNN, David Axelrod, who served as chief strategist for Barack Obama's White House campaigns, said Musk and Trump need to "get together and decide who the president is."
Musk's rapid political ascension is unprecedented. While wealthy patrons have exerted influence before, no unelected businessman has ever wielded such political power.
Musk played a large role in the closing stages of Trump's presidential campaign, appearing with him at a rally in Pennsylvania on the site where a gunman wounded the Republican candidate, and personally funding a reelection committee.
He has been omnipresent since Trump's election victory, virtually taking up residence at Trump's home in Mar-a-Lago Florida where the incoming president is mapping out the transition.
Musk and Amazon owner Jeff Bezos, a space race rival, dined with Trump on Wednesday evening at Mar-a-Lago.
Musk has not been formally named to Trump's cabinet but his expansive brief of cutting federal government spending has sparked conflict of interest concerns.
SpaceX, for example, depends for a large part on US government contracts.
Musk's $270 million in political donations during the November election cycle made him the largest political donor in US history.
But he shelled out far more for Twitter (since re-branded as X) in 2022, paying $44 billion.
"It's weird to think that Elon Musk will end up having paid far less for the United States Government than he did for Twitter," joked George Conway, a conservative critic.
Ch.Havering--AMWN