Good morning. We’re covering the fallout between President Trump and Elon Musk, and the U.S. travel ban on 12 countries. Plus: Tips for healthy aging.
The bromance fades: Trump and Musk traded insultsTensions rose between President Trump and Elon Musk yesterday, days after Musk called Trump’s domestic policy bill a “disgusting abomination.” Their alliance has now dissolved into open acrimony — and the trading of memes. During an Oval Office meeting with Germany’s chancellor, Trump took a swipe at Musk, who until last week was a presidential adviser. “I’m very disappointed in Elon,” Trump said. “I’ve helped Elon a lot.” Musk responded in real time, accusing Trump on X of “ingratitude” and saying, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election.” By the afternoon, Musk had floated the idea of leaving the Republican Party to start a new entity and Trump had suggested that canceling Musk’s government contracts would save billions of dollars. The public break comes after a remarkable partnership between the two men. Since the election, Musk has largely appeared inseparable from the president, helping to shape the federal government, make policy decisions and meet with other world leaders as the “first buddy.” Here’s how the relationship unraveled. Analysis: “When exactly President Trump and Elon Musk would break up has been a parlor game for months,” my colleague Theodore Schleifer said. “Some of Musk’s associates believed this buddy routine would not last forever. But even so, the breakdown that we saw today was swifter than any of them imagined.” Response: The share price of Tesla, Musk’s electric car company, plummeted nearly 15 percent. More Trump news:
Israel has been arming a militia in GazaIsrael has been arming a Palestinian militia in Gaza as part of a broader effort to fight Hamas in the enclave, according to officials. After a daylong controversy over the allegations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel acknowledged that the country had been working with “clans in Gaza,” calling it “a good thing” that had saved the lives of Israeli soldiers. Insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Israeli authorities had provided support, including weapons, to Yasser Abu Shabab, who leads the militia in southern Gaza. He has been accused of looting and reselling truckloads of humanitarian aid. Abu Shabab rejected the assertion that he had been working with Israel. In Gaza: A video, above, of a young girl trying to escape the flames resulting from an Israeli airstrike has became a symbol of the war’s toll on children. Our reporters found the child, Hanin al-Wadie. She survived the attack, but her parents and younger sister all died. This video recounts her ordeal. Note: Some scenes may be hard to watch. Other news from the war:
Trump’s travel ban brought new hardshipA U.S. travel ban for citizens from 12 nations is set to take effect on Monday, overwhelmingly targeting nations with vulnerable populations eager for sanctuary in the United States. Many of the countries, including Somalia, Afghanistan and Myanmar, have been devastated by conflict, while others are ruled by repressive regimes. Another seven countries face travel restrictions but not a complete ban. Here’s what to know. In announcing the ban on Wednesday, Trump cited the threat of terrorism after an Egyptian man in Colorado was charged with carrying out an attack on a group honoring hostages in Gaza. But Egypt was not on the list. Africa: Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, the Republic of Congo and Sudan were on the list. They have few similarities. Athletes: Players in major sporting events like the World Cup are exempt from the ban. But it’s unclear which events will receive exemptions.
Trade & Economics
Don’t underestimate cockatoos. Instead of sipping water from rivers or birdbaths, the sulfur-crested cockatoos in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, have taught themselves to drink from water fountains, which requires using one foot to twist open the handle while the other grips the spout. (It’s not entirely clear why they bother.) Lives lived: Former President Edgar Lungu of Zambia, who left a checkered legacy, died. He was 68.
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