Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head the Department of Government Efficiency to dismantle government bureaucracy, reduce excessive regulation, eliminate wasteful spending and restructure federal agencies.
President-elect Donald Trump announced in a statement that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new Department of Government Efficiency.
The president-elect did not detail how this new department would be funded. https://t.co/JTbhk2MFMI
The appointment of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, two loyal Trump allies, to reform the federal bureaucracy with a focus on efficiency raises concerns among many experts, who fear significant cuts in government staffing and services.
Getty Images
Donald Trump announced that this department would be unofficial, however, specifying that it “will not be a federal agency of the U.S. government”, but that it would provide advice and guidance aimed at driving structural reform of the government.
Following this announcement, Elon Musk quickly took to his social network X to clarify that all decisions and actions of this new Department of Government Efficiency, would be published on X to ensure maximum transparency.
Getty Images
Elon Musk said it would be both deeply tragic and particularly entertaining, noting that he intended to poke fun at the most absurd tax-funded expenditures, with a ranking to back it up.
Joe Rogan revealed on his podcast that Elon Musk would have developed a special app that would have allowed him to find out election results hours before anyone else.
#JoeRogan just spilled some serious next-level insider info … saying #ElonMusk knew hours before the official results dropped that #DonaldTrump had already won the election. Full story in bio!
Elon Musk, present at the election night party at Mar-a-Lago with several guests, including UFC CEO Dana White, was said by sources to have had real-time access to the voting results thanks to a private, customized app, according to Joe Rogan.
Getty Images
The billionaire, also a loyal financial backer of Trump’s campaign, would thus have been able to obtain this information before its public release.
He would therefore have known four hours in advance that Donald Trump had won, even before many votes had been counted, because his app would have given him the information before anyone else announced it.
Getty Images
Many wonder how this app could have worked. It could have had access to real-time data from official sources, which could have led to a discrepancy with the public results, as the latter are usually centralized to prevent leaks.
Another possibility is that the app was using algorithms and AI to estimate results from premature data, but this would only have been an estimate, not an official result, even if, in the end, Trump actually won.
Getty Images
That said, there is no concrete evidence that such an app was actually developed or used by Elon Musk.
Almost a week after their escape from a South Carolina research laboratory the day after the presidential elections, 18 of the 42 escaped monkeys are still being actively sought by the authorities.
Police have warned the public not to approach the animals under any circumstances.
25 of the 42 monkeys that escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in South Carolina on Wednesday were finally captured in good health after undergoing a health check by a team of veterinarians.
Getty Images
The monkeys, rhesus macaques, escaped when an Alpha Genesis employee failed to properly close a door after feeding them, according to authorities.
The Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center, located in Yemassee, South Carolina, is a facility dedicated to the study of primates. The center focuses primarily on biomedical research and the study of primate behavior, while providing subjects for scientific research related to medicine and biology.
Getty Images
The search continues for the 18 macaques still at large.
Although Joe Biden promised a peaceful transfer of power and invited President-elect Donald Trump to the White House on Wednesday, an invitation he accepted, Melania Trump, for her part, chose not to respond to First Lady Jill Biden’s invitation to visit the White House.
Melania Trump is not expected to travel to Washington, D.C., with President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, sources said.
First lady Jill Biden had extended an invite to Melania Trump for a meeting, according to the sources.
Melania Trump chose not to follow this tradition, citing a scheduling conflict to justify her refusal.
Getty Images
By contrast, during her husband’s first term in office, she accepted former First Lady Michelle Obama’s invitation to share a moment of tea.
Getty Images
In 2020, after Donald Trump’s defeat in the election, no invitation was extended by the Trumps to the Bidens, breaking a long-standing tradition between the incumbent and the president-elect.
The Japanese automaker has announced major cuts in its workforce and production, with the elimination of 9,000 jobs and a 20% reduction in production capacity.
Nissan Motor announced a $2.6 billion cost saving plan, including 9,000 job cuts and a 20% reduction in global production capacity as it battles falling sales in China and the United States https://t.co/eYdyLK2ZXypic.twitter.com/ZOixRxBatA
Lower sales in the second quarter of 2024, particularly in the US and China, are one of the main reasons for the cuts, which will save the company a total of $2.6 billion in expenses.
Getty Images
The company is struggling to compete in China, where sales are down 13% year-on-year, as well as in the US, with a 2.3% decline over the same period.
What’s more, it lacks a credible range of hybrid cars to compete with affordable, technologically advanced electric and hybrid vehicles.
Getty Images
Nissan’s share price has indeed fallen sharply on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, losing JPY 369 (-36.00, or -8.90%) in the last five days since the announcement of the reduction.
King Charles and Prince William are at the center of a scandal following the release of the investigative documentary The King, The Prince & Their Secret Millions, which reveals that they are alleged to have personally stocked the coffers of their respective royal estates with millions of dollars, obtained through their links with charities, public services and taxes paid by citizens.
Investigation Exposes King Charles and Prince William's Estates Raking in Millions from Charities and Public Service https://t.co/MtIP28S5ZY
According to the investigation, the two British royal figures would have reaped millions of dollars, feeding the coffers of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall, financial entities belonging respectively to the King and the heir to the British throne.
The investigation, carried out over several months in collaboration with The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches, revealed the millions of dollars accumulated each year by Charles and William – including $35 million for King Charles and $30 million for Prince William last year alone – as well as the various methods used to amass this fortune.
Getty Images
The financial entities of King Charles and Prince William generate millions every year from lands seized by medieval monarchs. They receive income from a variety of sectors, including government, business and the general public, via commercial rents and feudal royalties.
These include river tolls, the use of coastlines to unload cargo, the laying of cables under beaches, the operation of schools and charities, as well as tolls on bridges, churches, mines, parking lots, housing and many other sources.
Getty Images
These millions of dollars raised by the King and Prince are, of course, tax-free thanks to a special agreement with the Treasury. According to The Sunday Times, these sums come from fees charged to various public services, such as the army, navy, National Health Service, prisons and state schools, for the use of these lands, rivers and even coastlines.
Following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, the Canadian government has indicated that Canada will be ready to handle a potential mass influx of migrants at the Canadian border, with Trump promising mass deportations on his first day in the White House.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada has "a plan" on dealing with potential impacts to the border from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's immigration plans.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland noted that the Canadiens government has been preparing for the possibility of a Trump presidency for some time.
Getty Images
She expressed a desire for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, while recognizing the importance of border security and control over who enters Canada.
Freeland also said that Canada was preparing to manage a likely influx of migrants at the Canadian border when Trump takes office in January 2025.
Getty Images
Recall that after Trump’s victory in 2016, many migrants attempted to cross the Canadian border, fleeing the US administration’s strict migration policies.
Canada observed an influx of asylum seekers, particularly at Roxham Road, a road on the Quebec-New York border frequently used by smugglers and migrants. As a result, authorities had to step up security measures in the area.
Getty Images
An extension of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) between the USA and Canada, signed in 2002, was concluded last year, which stipulates that asylum seekers must apply in the first safe country they arrive in, meaning that migrants arriving from the USA must apply for asylum there.
However, Trump’s unpredictable attitude is raising concerns among Canadians about a potential larger influx of asylum seekers, at a time when Canada is already facing immigration challenges.
In response, Chrystia Freeland reassured Canadians that the government fully recognizes the importance of border security and control.
Vice President Kamala Harris addressed her supporters, who warmly welcomed her after her crushing defeat by rival Donald Trump.
The speech came hours after she conceded the election in a phone call to her opponent.
In remarks to supporters, Vice President Kamala Harris promised to keep up the "fight that fueled this campaign" and drew a contrast with Donald Trump as she vowed a peaceful transfer of power.
The emotion was palpable as Kamala Harris began her speech by expressing that her heart was filled with gratitude and appreciation for the trust her supporters had placed in her, as well as determination and love for her country.
She acknowledged that the outcome of this election was not what she had hoped for or fought for, but added that the light of America’s promise will continue to shine as long as we never give up and keep fighting.
Getty Images
To applause and tears from the crowd, Kamala Harris thanked those who had supported her in this fight, including her husband Doug, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, her running mate Tim Walz, as well as her family.
She also expressed her gratitude to her team, volunteers, poll workers and election officials for their work.
Getty Images
Kamala Harris concluded by saying she was proud of the campaign she had run and the way it had been conducted during the 107 days of struggle.
Kamala Harris expressed her pride in the coalition and community she had brought together during the campaign, a group of people from diverse backgrounds and origins, united by their love of country, with enthusiasm and joy, in their fight for America’s future.
Getty Images
The Vice President had an important message, acknowledging that her supporters were going through a wide range of emotions. She stressed the importance of accepting the election results, which prompted some booing from the crowd.
However, Harris went on to say that, despite the defeat, she and President Biden were committed to supporting Trump in a peaceful transition of power, a statement that was met with applause.
Getty Images
The Vice President emphasized that this gesture distinguished democracy from monarchy, pointing out that true loyalty lies in the U.S. Constitution, not in individuals in positions of power.
She stressed the importance of honoring this principle, a message that seemed to be aimed directly at the president-elect.
Getty Images
Harris made it clear that, while she accepted the results of the election as part of this democratic process, she was not abandoning the struggle that had fueled her campaign, that for freedom, opportunity, fairness and dignity for all.
She also stressed the importance of continuing the fight to protect women’s freedom to make decisions about their own bodies, to defend the right to schools and streets free from gun violence, and to preserve democracy, the rule of law, fair justice and the fundamental right to freedom.
Getty Images
Harris then spoke directly to the young people watching her, telling them it was normal to feel sad and disappointed. She sought to reassure them that all would be well, because even if sometimes the struggle takes time, that doesn’t mean we won’t win.
Getty Images
Harris explained that, although many felt the country was entering a difficult time, it was important to turn this darkness into an opportunity to light up the sky with billions of bright stars, through our optimism, faith, truth and service.
According to a Kamala Harris campaign spokesperson, the vice president’s call to Donald Trump lasted only a few minutes.
President Joe Biden calls President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him on his election win and invite him to White House for a transition meeting. https://t.co/CugZ1rK6WR
During the exchange, she not only congratulated him, but also stressed the importance of becoming a president for all Americans.
Getty Images
Later in the day, Kamala Harris delivered a speech to the nation, addressing her many supporters, still reeling from defeat but gathered for several hours to support her.
Getty Images
They were gathered at the place where her victory was to be celebrated, the day after her defeat.
Joe Biden also called Donald Trump to congratulate him on his victory, while inviting him to the White House for a transitional meeting.
Getty Images
Biden added that he would address the nation on Thursday.
The US stock market surged at the opening of trading after Trump’s victory was announced, with the Dow Jones recording a gain of over 1,300 points.
NEW: The U.S. stock market soared at the open of trading on Wednesday morning after former Pres. Trump's projected victory in the 2024 election, with the Dow up more than 1,300 points. https://t.co/v38lmGEeqW
The stock market opened positively after the surprising announcement of Trump’s victory in the presidential election, news which, far from upsetting the markets, seems to have supported them, at least for the time being.
Getty Images
The Dow Jones Industrial saw its shares rise 3% the morning after the election results were announced, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 gained 2%.
Shares in DJT, Trump’s stockbroking company, recorded a 17% gain, while those in Tesla and Elon Musk climbed over 14%. Bitcoin also saw its value rise by over 7%.
Getty Images
Recall that historically, the US stock market tends to rise after the winner of an election is announced, regardless of the victorious party.
In 2020, Trump warned that the stock market’s enormous growth under his presidency would collapse if voters replaced him with Joe Biden.
Getty Images
However, since Biden’s arrival in the White House, the US stock market has recorded even more spectacular rises, breaking several records.
