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Talarico 'Mental Health' Smear Blows Up All Over MAGA, Musk And Grenell

Talarico 'Mental Health' Smear Blows Up All Over MAGA, Musk And Grenell

Far-right media figures circulated a fake story about Texas Senate candidate James Talarico over the weekend, only to have the enterprise quickly blow up in their faces. Racist billionaire Elon Musk played a key role in promoting the smear.

Recently, Talarico, who is running against Republican nominee Ken Paxton, had an extended absence from the campaign trail due to a bout of flu.

On Sunday, MAGA media figure Nick Sortor falsely claimed that the flu story was “a BIG FAT LIE” and that “a hospital employee told @RheinAmacher and I that Talarico had in fact been a patient at the Lindner Center of Hope near Cincinnati, Ohio, which specializes in around-the-clock mental health treatment.” Sortor then said that Talarico’s supposed stint at the hospital meant the Democrat was “CLEARLY not suited to become a US Senator representing over 30 MILLION TEXANS.”

Sortor’s falsehoods were repeatedly promoted by Musk on X. In one post, Musk said the story was evidence “the Talarico campaign is hiding something big that voters ought to know about,” and that “the Talarico campaign is not being honest about what’s happening.”

The fabricated story was also promoted by longtime Trump ally Richard Grenell, who was recently part of Trump’s efforts to destroy the Kennedy Center.

But the whole thing was a fraud.

Talarico returned to the campaign trail on Friday and slammed the conspiracy theories about his absence in an interview with MS NOW.

“This is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s wild that someone can just post something on the internet and then the media just runs with it,” Talarico said, and went on to challenge Paxton to a debate, something the Republican has been avoiding.

Lindner Center of Hope added to the right’s humiliation, noting in a post on X, “Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope.” And Talarico responded, “I’ve never even been to Ohio 😂.”

The desperate smear emerged as polling shows a tight race in Texas, which has historically been a Republican stronghold. Paxton is a weak candidate propped up by millions in outside money, largely coming from Musk’s super PAC, America PAC.

Musk has put a lot of money on the line to try and ensure Republicans hold on to the seat, and the weekend’s activity shows that he is even willing to promote a hoax to accomplish his goal.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


Trump Issues Absurd Threat Over Reports Of Empty Seats At Alabama Rally

Trump Issues Absurd Threat Over Reports Of Empty Seats At Alabama Rally

Insert LinkAccording to President Donald Trump, reporting on his small crowd sizes at campaign events ahead of this year’s midterm elections is a criminal act.

Trump took The New York Times to task on Monday in a social media post complaining about the outlet noting empty seats at a recent Trump rally in Ohio.

“The New York Times said, ‘There were empty seats’ when, in fact, there were none, and thousands of people had to be turned away. The New York Times, and many other Artificial Media Outlets, should be arrested for their dishonesty and disservice to our Country,” Trump wrote.

Times reporter Katie Rogers, who has covered several Trump rallies, noted in her story of his Ohio event, “several areas of an upper deck were empty by the time Mr. Trump finished speaking at a 4,500-capacity high school student activity center.”

Rogers also noted that Trump events in Oklahoma and Alabama—both of which Trump easily won in 2024—also had empty seats.

An earlier story from Times reporter Shawn McCreesh on Trump’s rally in Alabama also noted that seats were empty.

Photos and videos back up the reporting. The Daily Beast compiled photos and videos of Trump’s rally in Alabama showing empty seats.

Trump’s decision to blame the lackluster response on the media falls in line with his constant attacks against free speech. He has tried to use the government to squelch dissenting views and has privately sued news outlets that report unflattering news about him.

The reality Trump is trying to avoid is quite simple: He is an unpopular president who is presiding over an unpopular war and unpopular trade policies that have increased costs for millions. Republicans running for office don’t want to be seen with him, and many Republicans who voted for him in 2024 have started to say they regret their votes.

Of course, they don’t want to show up at a rally for such an unpopular figure. And reporting on these facts is not against the law.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


Unemployment Surges As Jobs Report Flops, But Trump Boasts Of 'Phenomenal Job'

Unemployment Surges As Jobs Report Flops, But Trump Boasts Of 'Phenomenal Job'

Just hours after President Donald Trump praised himself for supposedly doing a near-perfect job with the economy, the monthly jobs report was released—showing an increase in unemployment and fewer jobs than analysts had expected.

The Labor Department revealed Friday that the unemployment rate has risen to 4.2% and that only 29,000 jobs were added in September—a far cry from the 90,000 jobs that experts anticipated.

Jobs numbers were also revised downward for previous months.

During a rally in Texas Thursday night for failing Senate candidate Ken Paxton, Trump declared success on the economy.

“The only thing we’re doing badly at is public relations,” he said. “In other words, we’re doing a phenomenal job.”



Public opinion polling has consistently shown that voters blame Trump and the GOP for the bad economy. Since retaking office, Trump has put in place terrible policies like tariffs—which have increased prices—and launched a war in Iran—which has restricted the fuel supply, causing gas prices to surge.

But Trump argued at his rally, as he has in the past, that these concerns are fake and that the concept of affordability is simply made up by the left.

“Remember they came up with the word ‘affordability,’” Trump said. “They always come up with these words: ‘Affordability.’ So the fake news starts using it, because they’re partners with the Democrats.”


This is, of course, a completely false conspiracy theory.

Trump has spent most of his time as a public figure espousing a host of fake conspiracies, often with racist messages.

But despite his rhetoric, the location of Trump’s reality-defying speech probably says more about the precarious state of his political future than anything else.

Texas, one of the GOP’s most loyal states, is where his handpicked candidate Paxton has been flailing for months. Despite Trump’s comfortable wins in Texas in 2024, 2020, and 2016—as well as GOP dominance of the state for decades—Paxton is trailing Democratic candidate James Talarico.

That Texas is in play is a testament to how Trump’s poor economic performance is resonating with voters.

During his first term, Trump became the only president since the statistic has been recorded to see a net job loss. And in his second term, he has fulfilled the long-standing GOP tradition of underperforming on the economy.

Trump can pat himself on the back and pretend that affordability is made up all he wants. But the data paints a far more accurate picture—and that is what Americans are paying attention to.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


Putin and Kremlev

House Democrats Open Probe Of Don Jr's 'Wedding Gift' From Kremlin Oligarch

The House Oversight Committee has begun investigating the role of Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev in financing Donald Trump Jr.’s recent nuptials.

On Tuesday, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the ranking Democrat on the committee, sent a letter to Don Jr. instructing him to preserve all records, documents and communication referencing his relationship to the oligarch, who is an ally of Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin.

“Oversight Democrats are investigating the numerous ways in which you have sought to enrich yourself and your family on the basis of your proximity to President Donald Trump,” Garcia wrote.

“As the son of President Donald Trump and the part-owner and major investor of multiple companies with extensive Department of Defense contracts, your praise of such an ‘extraordinarily generous wedding gift’ from a member of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s inner circle raises serious questions about pay-to-play schemes and foreign intelligence infiltration of the President’s family,” he continued.

Garcia has also written to Susie Wiles, President Trump’s chief of staff, requesting information on the ties between Kremlev and the Trump administration. Garcia noted that Trump failed to attend his son’s wedding to socialite Bettina Anderson and asked if Kremlev’s role and presence was related to the decision. Garcia also asked about the status of Don Jr.’s security clearance and if Kremlev had been identified as one of his foreign contacts.

The probe was triggered by a ProPublica report published Monday documenting the extensive role Kremlev played in financing the wedding. Despite the Trump family’s vast wealth, the Russian paid for much of the three-day party and wedding ceremony held on a private island. Records show Kremlev paid for lodging, fireworks, and other expenses for the 50-strong celebration.

Don Jr. accepted foreign financing for his wedding despite reports indicating he is worth at least $300 million, raising the question of whether Kremlev was paying for access and influence over the presidency.

The wedding disclosure is just the latest in a well-documented close relationship between the Trump family and Russian assets. Most notably, a bipartisan Senate investigation concluded in 2020 that Russia had intervened in the 2016 election, with an eye toward electing Trump over Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The elder Trump has consistently bent to Putin’s demands during both of his terms as president, including most recently pressuring Ukraine to refrain from attacks on Russia, despite years of bombardment from Russian forces trying to invade the neighboring nation.

When he isn’t doing as Russia desires, Donald Trump has thoroughly integrated corruption into his presidency, often prioritizing his personal enrichment over U.S. national security and economic stability.

Congressional Republicans under House Speaker Mike Johnson have declined to provide oversight of Trump’s actions. With their response to the Russian financing, Democrats have made clear that if they win this fall’s elections, more investigations are coming.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos



Donald Trump

'High IQ' Trump Says Nobody But He Should Regulate Artificial Intelligence

President Donald Trump thinks that he should be in charge of overseeing and regulating artificial intelligence—not actual experts.

“The only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday.

He later added that “the only reason the AI/Data Center outburst is happening is because the United States is leading, by a lot, every other country.”

Similarly, Vice President JD Vance told reporters that AI companies who have voiced support for regulation seem “like a bit of a Trojan Horse.”

Trump and Vance’s comments are in response to an essay from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who called for a slowdown in AI development. He cited concerns about AI agents becoming unpredictable and outstripping the guardrails put in place by the companies that have created them.

Amodei also said that companies should have independent reviews of their operations and safety standards.

Other AI industry leaders voiced support for the essay, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and even close Trump ally Elon Musk.

Trump’s proclamation that he’s a uniquely capable “high IQ” person who can understand the nuances and implications of advanced AI technology runs counter to what is known of Trump and his deep ignorance.

For instance, Trump has repeatedly attacked windmills, incorrectly arguing that the occasional lack of wind and even bird strikes could cause blackouts. He also claimed that Canada has a “very large faucet” that could be used to fight wildfires in California.

For years, Trump has argued that climate change—a globally acknowledged and quantified phenomenon—is merely a “hoax” created by China.

Both in his capacity as an entertainer and as president, Trump has never demonstrated the sort of intelligence required to deal with complex issues, let alone the possible fallout from something as powerful as AI.

In contrast to Trump’s call for no rules, multiple Democrats have been pushing for federal legislation that would provide guardrails for future AI developments.

In response, the AI industry has spent millions in elections through well-funded political action committees that oppose federal rules and oversight, pushing for the industry to police itself.

Trump and the GOP have tied themselves to AI interests, with figures like Musk as major donors to the party. But while the AI industry backs Republicans who oppose oversight, the public has shown bipartisan opposition to AI—particularly the construction of data centers.

Despite the public’s obvious opposition, Trump thinks he’s the only one capable of overseeing AI—just like he oversaw COVID-19, tariffs, and his war in Iran.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos

New Report Explodes White House Claims Of 'Decimating' Iran's Missile Capability

New Report Explodes White House Claims Of 'Decimating' Iran's Missile Capability

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have spent the last few months bragging that they’ve decimated Iran’s ballistic missile capability. But a new report says otherwise.

According to The Wall Street Journal, intelligence sources said that Iran is back to producing ballistic missiles at several underground sites, including the Khojir facility in the southeastern region of the country. They also said that Iran is currently attempting to build new underground assembly facilities.

When Trump first started the war in March, he and his team quickly claimed that Iran’s capabilities had been destroyed following U.S. bombing runs.

That claim kicked off a pattern that has gone on for months, with the Trump administration insisting that Iran has been pacified and that victory is just around the corner. But in reality, Iran has fought back, killing people and asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz, leading to rising fuel costs.

In April, Trump specifically said that the U.S. military had “beaten and completely decimated Iran.” But within two days, Iran shot down a U.S. fighter jet.

Trump was back at it again on Wednesday, telling reporters that Iran “can’t hold out any longer” and that signs of strength from Iran are a ploy to “get a nice, weak group of people in there” ahead of the midterms.

The Iran war has been a constant problem for Trump—and it’s all of his own making. He and the GOP were already unpopular thanks to mass deportations and healthcare cuts, but the war and its death toll and effect on the economy has Republicans scrambling.

The Journal’s report undermines one of Trump’s central arguments about the war: that the goal was to cut off Iran’s access to weapons. It also exposes the falsehood of his claims about “decimating” Iran.

No wonder he’s now trying to bribe voters.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


Karl Rove

GOP Guru Rove: Trump Must Intervene To Save Paxton From Talarico Surge

Karl Rove, a longtime Republican operative and fixer, issued a dire warning to Republicans about the failing campaign of Senate candidate Ken Paxton during a Fox News appearance on Tuesday.

Rove told the hosts of Fox’s America’s Newsroom that he believes that recent campaign finance filings from Paxton, which show his fundraising heavily trailing that of Democratic nominee James Talarico, will require presidential intervention to save the seat.

Rove also indicated that the seat should be considered a “toss-up,” despite the fact that Republicans won their 2020 and 2024 Senate elections there by at least eight percentage points.

"The state is Republican in nature, but this is an unusual race,” Rove said. “Talarico, I think, had over $70 million raised, and Paxton had $9 million-plus.”

Rove criticized Paxton for visiting “Iceland with his new girlfriend” the week before the Fourth of July holiday instead of campaigning for the seat.

“This is going to be one that is going to depend mightily upon the decision of President Trump to spend or not spend the half-a-billion-plus dollars that he has in his two super PACs, MAGA Inc. and Never Surrender. If he does spend, then he can sort of even it up. If he doesn’t spend, this could be a really bad night for Republicans in Texas,” Rove concluded.

Rove is best known for being the so-called architect of former President George W. Bush’s political career. While Bush ended up as one of the most unpopular presidents in recent history following the failure of the Iraq War and the onset of the Great Recession, Rove did successfully steer Bush’s career through two terms as governor of Texas.

The negative assessment from Rove piles on to the waves of bad headlines rocking the Paxton campaign.

A poll released last Thursday by Emerson College showed Paxton and Talarico effectively tied, 47 percent to 46 percent. On Tuesday the Talarico campaign announced that Jacob Smith, who previously served as Cornyn’s deputy legislative director, had joined Talarico as his deputy policy director.

In the seat’s Republican primary earlier this year, many Republican insiders had preferred that incumbent Sen. John Cornyn would win the nomination. But after Cornyn clashed with Trump, Trump backed Paxton in the primary, and despite years of scandal and controversy, Paxton won.

Republican control of the Senate is being threatened by internal party disarray. Trump continues to wield an outsized influence over the party while plummeting in support with voters outside of the MAGA bubble.

Trump picking Paxton over Cornyn turned what may have been an easy race into a nail-biter. If Rove is to be believed, Trump will have to do the work to clean up his own mess.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


Dr. Jonathan Reiner

White House Enraged After Top Cardiologist Raises Concerns About Trump's Condition

A high-profile heart doctor is raising concerns about the White House’s failure to fully disclose President Donald Trump’s health issues, and Trump’s team is lashing out in response instead of leveling with the public.

Dr. Jonathan Reiner made his case in an op-ed published in the New York Times on Thursday. Reiner is a professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University and served as former Vice President Dick Cheney’s cardiologist for 27 years, including from 2001-2009 when he was in office.Together, he and Cheney authored the book “Heart: An American Medical Odyssey,” chronicling the former veep’s battle with heart disease.

In his column, Reiner noted that Trump has several ailments that are “easy to see” and do not comport with the effusive writeups on Trump’s physical state released by the current White House physician.

“Despite reassurances from the White House to the contrary, at times over the past year, the president has not looked well,” Reiner wrote.

“Mr. Trump is probably the most photographed president in American history, and a variety of physical ailments are easy to see. He’s had large bruises on both hands, swelling in his legs and episodes when it appears that he is struggling to stay awake,” the doctor said. “He’s also had advanced imaging performed for unclear reasons. The public is again left to wonder whether the nation’s leader is OK.”

In May Dr. Sean Barbabella, the physician to the president, claimed in a report that Trump “remains in excellent health.” But Reiner said that the information released about Trump raises more questions than answers.

He notes that Trump’s medical report said he spoke to more than 22 physicians but doesn’t say why he is seeing so many medical professionals. Reiner said the report doesn’t explain Trump’s skin discoloration, why his ankles continue to swell, his inability to stay awake, or why he has taken so many cognitive tests.

In examining the cone of silence around Trump’s health, Reiner notes that Buckingham Palace keeps a similarly tight lid on King Charles’ medical issues but concludes, “The United States does not have a king. In a representative democracy, the people must have confidence in the health of their leader, and in the leader’s capacity to guide the nation.”

Reiner isn’t alone. For years now Trump’s appearance has led to viral videos and photographs of his condition, particularly in the context of his constant attacks on the health of Democrats like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden. Even photographs of Trump’s hair looking unnaturally thick after previous photos showed signs of thinning renewed questions about his health and apparent efforts to cover up the truth.

It doesn’t help that Trump himself has posted AI-enhanced photos of himself to hide blemishes and obvious signs of aging.

As is often the case, the White House lashed out instead of taking Reiner’s questions seriously.

“Jonathan Reiner is an asshat engaging in armchair diagnosis for political purposes. He is a disgrace to the medical profession,” administration spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement.

Appearing on CNN, Reiner noted that the Trump White House gave the so-called “asshat” a certificate hailing the work of his medical unit within the past year. The doctor reiterated to the network that the angry response underlines “a picture of a president who has active medical issues who doesn’t appear well in public.”

If Trump is healthy and fine, there would be no need to bash doctors or hide the details of his medical status from the Americans he works for. Instead, the Trump administration continues the cover-up.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos

Trump liberation day with Lutnick

'Tariffs Have Been Incredible!' Says Deluded Trump As Refunds Reach $100 Billion

President Donald Trump proclaimed that his failed tariff policies were an “incredible” success on Tuesday—the same day that his administration admitted that it had to pay back billions in illegally collected tariffs.

“Tariffs have been incredible. We’ve taken in hundreds of billions of dollars. Supreme Court gave us a little shot, but we’re allowed to do it in a different manner—they said that,” Trump told Fox News. “But we are anyway, regardless if we have the law.”

In a Tuesday filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade, the administration quietly admitted that it had refunded roughly $100 billion of the $166 billion that it brought in from tariffs under the policy instituted last year.

Trump issued those tariffs on his highly touted “Liberation Day” last April using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. But in February, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump had overstepped his presidential powers and violated federal law.

The administration was then ordered to pay back all of the tariffs that had been collected.

But while the companies will be paid back, it remains unclear whether consumers—who saw increased prices to offset Trump’s tariffs—will ever receive any financial compensation.

Since Trump began imposing tariffs, the public has made clear that it opposes them.

While Trump has consistently claimed that tariffs are paid by other countries, they are actually passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. This has contributed to a poor economy, made worse by gas price hikes thanks to Trump’s war in Iran.

Data for November and December is preliminary. All data is seasonally adjusted.Chart by Andrew Mangan/Created with Datawrapper



Trump has carved out exceptions for some goods, but instead of being tied to consumer concerns, they’re for industries that bankrolled his campaigns or gave him personal gift.

Republicans are currently financing campaign ads that attempt to paint Democrats as soft on China due to their opposition to Trump’s tariffs. But with data like a March survey from Harris Poll—where 72% of respondents agreed that tariffs have hurt the economy—this rhetoric seems more about stroking Trump’s ego than a potent political attack.

So, sure, Trump’s tariffs have been “incredible” for the economy—an incredible burden.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


Democrat Tells Musk That Maine Doesn't Want His 'Dirty Money' Boosting Collins

Democrat Tells Musk That Maine Doesn't Want His 'Dirty Money' Boosting Collins

Troy Jackson, Maine’s Democratic nominee for Senate, released a video on Sunday criticizing billionaire conservative Elon Musk for his plans to spend lavishly in support of Jackson’s Republican rival, Sen. Susan Collins.

“Maine—and really, the whole United States—doesn’t want your dirty money in our politics,” Jackson said, addressing Musk. Jackson also noted that Musk’s support of Collins is a sign that he wants people in power who are “totally beholden to him and Donald Trump.”

Jackson pointed out that Musk supports policies from Trump and Collins that have cut taxes for billionaires while slashing support for hospitals and other healthcare programs.

Musk, through his America PAC, is expected to spend at least $100 million to back Republicans in this fall’s midterm elections.

In recent years, Musk has become one of the most high-profile donors to the Republican Party. He donated millions to help elect Trump in the 2024 presidential election, and last year, he bankrolled a campaign to prop up the conservative candidate in the race for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court. The progressive won that race over Musk’s pick.

America PAC has reportedly targeted Maine as one of the key states in the battle to determine control of the Senate. The most recent polling has shown a slight lead for Jackson, who became the nominee after embattled candidate Graham Platner left the race over abuse allegations.

Musk has become a lightning rod for global criticism. He has stoked the fires of racism both domestically and internationally, constantly using his feed on X, which he owns, to push racist memes and ideas.

When he is not pushing hate, Musk has also been working in the court system to protect his AI chatbot Grok, which has been used to produce nonconsensual nude photos of people, including minors.

"Why does the richest man in the world want to protect a feature that makes children naked?” Minnesota state Rep. Jess Hanson, a Democrat, asked in a recent press conference.

Now Collins will have to be asked why she is getting boosted by a man who wants such an abhorrent thing to happen.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos

Musk Fighting To Protect AI Apps (Such As Grok) That Make Sexual Images Of Minors

Musk Fighting To Protect AI Apps (Such As Grok) That Make Sexual Images Of Minors

Minnesota lawmakers slammed Elon Musk after his company xAI filed a complaint in federal court attempting to block a state law that would curtail the use of apps and websites to create nonconsensual sexual imagery of people—including minors.

How Odd Is He? Musk Promises AI-Generated 'Accurate' Version Of Homer's Epic

How Odd Is He? Musk Promises AI-Generated 'Accurate' Version Of Homer's Epic

Reeling from his failed crusade to turn audiences against Christopher Nolan’s new film, “The Odyssey,” Elon Musk is apparently planning to make an AI adaptation of the Homer epic.

Over the weekend, The Odyssey earned more than $124 million at the domestic box office and more than $264 million worldwide. But because the film features Black and transgender actors, Musk is throwing a fit.

“Before this year ends, Grok Imagine will make a full-length movie of The Odyssey that is historically accurate and true to the art of Homer,” he wrote on X alongside an AI-generated video of The Odyssey.

Musk’s reference to historical accuracy is most likely a nod to using an all-white and cisgender cast, as he previously complained that Nolan’s film featured actors like Lupita Nyong’o, who is Black and Elliot Page, who is transgender.

Conservatives have groused for years about the casting of diverse actors in film and television, which they have derided as “woke.”

But films with “woke” casts and messaging—like the pro-immigrant Superman that was released last summer—have frequently resonated with an increasingly diverse public.

The immense success of Nolan’s The Odyssey proves this trend, rebutting conservatives’ pathetic complaints.There’s also the issue of quality that an AI-generated film would have to contend with.

The clip that Musk shared had all the hallmarks of AI-generated content, which draws from a slew of video, still images, and audio harvested by his problematic chatbot Grok. The clip included stilted acting, unnatural-looking actors, inaccurate costuming, and even a character wearing earplugs—not exactly “historically accurate.”

Grok, an AI system influenced by Musk’s ideology, has declared itself “MechaHitler” and produced nonconsensual sexualized images—including of children.

Musk also floated the idea of bankrolling a $100 million The Odyssey remake featuring notoriously anti-Semitic actor Mel Gibson.Musk’s promise of a film “before this year ends” should also be taken with a grain of salt, considering that he has a considerable history of making grandiose public promises with a poor track record of actually delivering on them.

For instance, Musk has been promising since 2016 that Tesla cars will have a fully self-driving feature. Ten years later, and that seems unlikely to happen any time soon, as numerous videos show the dangers to both drivers and pedestrians associated with the feature in the current fleet of cars.And in 2011, Musk said that SpaceX would reach Mars in 10 years or “worst case 15 to 20 years.” The company has yet to send any vehicles to Mars, though some have blown up after getting a few feet off the ground.

Musk is a bigot. He has promoted hate against Black people, Latino people, transgender people and others. He has a high level of influence within the GOP, to which he continues to donate millions.But despite controlling X, he has limited influence among the public at large.

Maybe Musk will somehow—against all odds—deliver his AI slop version of The Odyssey before year’s end. But even if he does, very few people outside of his pathetic, little sphere of bigots will actually bother to watch it.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos

'Block The Merger!' Attorneys General Sue To Stop Paramount Deal

'Block The Merger!' Attorneys General Sue To Stop Paramount Deal

A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general announced Monday that they filed a lawsuit in an attempt to stop the looming merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Discovery.

The suit alleges that the merger would violate federal antitrust law due to the control that the combined companies—led by the pro-Trump Ellison family—would have over the entertainment and media industry.

The states involved in the suit are California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington.

“California and our sister states are fighting for free and fair markets, not rigged markets. America has no kings in government or our economy,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

Paramount Skydance is currently led by David Ellison, son of Oracle billionaire and GOP donor Larry Ellison.

Under Ellison’s leadership, conservative activist Bari Weiss was installed as the editor-in-chief of CBS News. In the ensuing months, stories critical of President Donald Trump have been suppressed, while longtime journalists like Scott Pelley have been purged.

In a June interview, Pelley revealed that CBS bosses attempted to promote false narratives surrounding the killing of Renee Good by immigration agents. He also said that CBS leadership tried to pressure reporters to falsely depict protesters against Immigration and Customs Enforcement as violent.

Trump’s Justice Department has already given its blessing to the merger, perhaps anticipating more CBS-style journalistic interference. If it proceeds, CBS would be joined by BET, TNT, and CNN in the pro-MAGA media makeover.

The lawsuit alleges that the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act, which states that mergers that substantially reduce competition are illegal.

The attorneys general say that the combined companies would lead to reduced competition in theatrical film distribution, licensing of content for basic cable TV, and release of top-grossing films—as it would control 30 percent of “blockbuster” releases and 90 percent of the market, along with Disney, Universal, and Sony.

The merger already has opposition in the creative community. Unions, actors, writers, and other production creatives have protested against the union of Paramount and Warner.

There are also ongoing concerns about the content of the combined companies being subverted to serve the interests of Trump and the GOP.

In May, veteran CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour expressed that she is “concerned” about what the Ellisons would change at CNN, citing the interference at CBS.

The Trump administration has already made clear its plans to influence news content. In a March press conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—flustered with trying to defend Trump’s failing strategy in Iran and CNN’s coverage of the mess—told reporters that “the sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.”

Throughout Trump’s second term, the mainstream media has bent itself to Trump’s will. A MAGA media merger would turbocharge the already deteriorating press.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


Conspiracy Theorist Don Junior Complains About Charlie Kirk Conspiracy 'Noise'

Conspiracy Theorist Don Junior Complains About Charlie Kirk Conspiracy 'Noise'

Conspiracy theorist Donald Trump Jr. lashed out on Wednesday at right-wing conspiracy theories swirling around the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Trump Jr. has attended the preliminary hearings ahead of the trial of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of shooting and killing Kirk in 2025.

In an appearance on Fox News, Trump Jr. said he was happy to “see the actual facts” in the case because “there is so much stuff amidst the noise and internet chatter” relating to the murder. He said the evidence and facts were “cut and dry.”

That’s a very different view from the one expressed by other conservative media figures allied in the past with Trump Jr. and his father, President Donald Trump. Almost since the moment of Kirk’s murder, the right has circulated conspiracies about the case.

Most prominently, right-wing pundit Candace Owens has insinuated that the public is not being told the truth about the murder. On Monday, she called the hearing for Robinson a “show trial.”

The criticism from Trump Jr., who has spent much of his time in the public eye using his father’s position to power his personal wealth, was unusual.

Since his father became a major political figure in 2015, Trump Jr. has been at the forefront of promoting conspiracy theories on the right. When he isn’t pushing theories himself, he has used his platform to promote other conspiracy theorists, like Pizzagate promoter Mike Cernovich, whom Trump Jr. in 2017 said deserved a Pulitzer Prize for journalism.For instance, after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, Trump Jr. supported the conspiracy theory that survivor David Hogg was coached to comment on the incident.

After his father lost the 2020 election to President Joe Biden, Trump Jr. pushed specious claims about the election result, which figures on the right falsely claim was stolen.

Trump Jr. also amplified lies alleging that the committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol had destroyed evidence that would help his father.

Trump Jr. once pushed the claim that the state of Washington had passed a law that would remove children from custody of their parents if they opposed a child’s gender-transition surgery. The claim has no basis in truth.Other conspiracies supported by Trump Jr. include a lie that Biden hid a cancer diagnosis from the public and that a large number of mass shooters are transgender.

Trump Jr. is, of course, the son of one of the world’s most preeminent conspiracy theorists, Donald Trump Sr. The president has pushed conspiracies ranging from the lie that former President Barack Obama was born on foreign soil and that climate change is a Chinese “hoax,” among many others.

But suddenly, when those conspiracy theories involve the death of his friend and notorious racist Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump Jr. has discovered he doesn’t like conspiracy theories much at all.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos

At Long Last, Sandy Hook Victims Of Alex Jones Begin To Get What He Owes Them

At Long Last, Sandy Hook Victims Of Alex Jones Begin To Get What He Owes Them

The families and survivors of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting are finally receiving some of the money owed to them by right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

The satirical publication The Onion, which recently took control of Jones’ InfoWars brand, paid out $100,000 to the Sandy Hook families during the relaunch of the InfoWars website.

Jones owes the families about $1.4 billion after losing multiple court cases that were brought against him alleging defamation.

On his show, Jones repeatedly claimed that the mass shooting, which killed 20 children and six adults, was a “false flag” operation meant to whip up support for gun control. Jones called the victims “crisis actors” and inspired his listeners to harass the families and survivors.

Jones’ company was forced into bankruptcy by the massive judgments against him, leading to the sale of InfoWars to The Onion. Jones has been attempting to prevent the sale through court proceedings.

Chris Mattei, an attorney for nine of the families, summed up the state of Jones’ conspiracy empire to The Associated Press: “All he’s been left with is an iPhone and a fancy microphone.”

The new InfoWars site launched on Thursday with the release of a video featuring the “InfoWars elf."

It is the dawn of a new era. Hear our battle anthem.Welcome to the new InfoWars.

[image or embed]
— InfoWars (@realinfowars.bsky.social) July 2, 2026 at 1:12 PM

The new site will also feature a character meant to parody Jones as part of The Jim Haggerty Show.

“If you watch [Jones], it is not really information heavy. It is bluster and it is repetition and it is exaggeration,” comedian Tim Heidecker told Fast Company. “So in the satire of it, my job is to try to be as ridiculous as possible without losing sight of who you’re doing or what the character is.”

Jones has been in a terrible place for the last few years. In addition to losing his media empire, he has seen his relationship with President Donald Trump deteriorate. Jones was a big supporter of Trump’s but broke with the administration when Trump attacked Iran.

Trump called Jones a “nut job” and derided the fellow conspiracy theorist for his Sandy Hook lies, despite the fact that Trump has promoted even bigger lies and conspiracies. Jones has also had several high-profile staffers depart from his company.

But perhaps the lowest blow of all is Jones’ media brand now being used to mock him.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


Awash In Corruption, Trump Insists He Has No Idea How Family Glommed Billions

Awash In Corruption, Trump Insists He Has No Idea How Family Glommed Billions

President Donald Trump is downplaying the more than 235 percent increase in his annual income since his second term began, a clear attempt to obscure the pattern of corruption among his administration.

According to newly released financial disclosures, Trump reported $622 million in revenue in 2024. That jumped to more than $2.2 billion last year.

But when he was asked about the massive increase, Trump said he had nothing to do with it.

“Well, I’ve made a lot of money before I became president, and they invest my money, and I don’t talk to them. I never—I don’t even speak to them,” he said.

Trump’s argument doesn’t quite pass the smell test.

Most of Trump’s money comes from the financial stake he has in various cryptocurrency holdings—specifically World Liberty Financial, which is owned and operated by the Trump family.

Through World Liberty, multiple entities have sought to curry favor and buy influence with Trump. For example, before his second term began, the United Arab Emirates invested $500 million in World Liberty. Then, soon after he took office, the UAE was given access to new artificial intelligence technology.

Eric and Donald Trump Jr. have also been negotiating deals and raking in money through World Liberty, even as the rest of the crypto industry has seen a downturn. What does World Liberty have that those other companies don’t? The president.

Trump tried to attribute his windfall to the general rise of the stock market since he retook office. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 20 percent and the S&P 500 is up about 27 percent in the same period that Trump brought in his 235 percent gains.

Corruption and grift have been a hallmark of Trump’s presidency, with the open exchange of money, gifts, and favors for access and power.

According to the Center for American Progress, Trump and his family have received more than $2.6 billion in cash and gifts since January, while the public has been in the dark about what was traded away.

Meanwhile, Trump has presided over economic crises—including rising gas prices due to his war in Iran and increased costs for basic goods thanks to his tariffs. Despite this, Trump consistently calls affordability a “hoax.”

Sure, it’s a hoax—when you’re making billions off the presidency.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos


With Plan For 'Spectacular Trump Rally' In Capital, July 4 May Look More Like January 6

With Plan For 'Spectacular Trump Rally' In Capital, July 4 May Look More Like January 6

President Donald Trump is hijacking America’s 250th birthday to throw a self-congratulatory, partisan political rally—and, in the process, reminding everyone of his failed attempt to incite an insurrection in 2020.

Trump announced on Truth Social that the planned July 4 celebration on the National Mall, dubbed America 250, will be a Trump rally—throwing out the historic, nonpartisan tradition that has been celebrated for centuries.

“On July 4th, at The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, in beautiful and safe Washington D.C., we are going to host the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all, a ‘TRIBUTE TO AMERICA,’” he wrote.

Trump’s announcement comes a few weeks after a series of embarrassments connected to America 250.

A roster of musical artists, including Morris Day, Bret Michaels, and Martina McBride, dropped out of the “Great American State Fair” concert after the event’s partisan roots were revealed.

Similarly, several states—including Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania—have declined to participate in the state fair events.

Considering what happened the last time that Trump assembled his fans in Washington, D.C., there are legitimate concerns this time around.

On January 6, 2021, after it was clear that he lost the election to former President Joe Biden, Trump and his allies held “Stop the Steal” rallies to gin up support for the conspiracy that the election was stolen. This was a claim that was entirely untrue.

In promoting the rallies, Trump promised on social media that things would be “wild.” And after Trump’s speech, his supporters proceeded to attack the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop the certification of the election.

Ultimately, more than 1,500 were charged with federal crimes, and some—like former Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio—were convicted of seditious conspiracy against the country. Trump was also impeached for a historic second time for his inciting the insurrection.

At the start of his second term, Trump quickly pardoned the insurrectionists, which unleashed another wave of crime in multiple states. Trump has even pushed for $1.8 billion in taxpayer funds to be paid to insurrectionists and other political allies of his, including people accused of child sexual abuse crimes.

So far, the effort to reward rioters has been unsuccessful—but maybe they’ll show up at Trump’s new D.C. rally to recreate history.

Reprinted with permission from Daily Kos