What’s Next for Tesla, DOGE, and the “Big, Beautiful Bill”? Sure, in hindsight, it seems inevitable that two vastly powerful men who dominate the world’s attention would eventually collide in spectacular fashion. Back in February, Gabriel Sherman reported on speculation among Republicans that Elon Musk’s “meddling and outbursts would cause a blowup” with Donald Trump, and we’ve been charting Musk’s attempted rebrand for weeks, as he tries distancing himself from the chainsaw-wielding, right-wing bogeyman who turned off Tesla buyers.
Still, this week’s very public clash went well beyond a simple spat about government funding, with Musk calling for Donald Trump’s impeachment and raising the specter of Jeffrey Epstein, as the latter threatened retaliation, which Issie Lapowsky digs into, while Eric Lutz looks at the fate of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and Bess Levin explores the future of DOGE.
Turning to the Garden State, Chris Smith reports on Trump’s efforts to turn New Jersey red in this year’s gubernatorial race, as Democratic front-runner Mikie Sherrill acknowledges the president is a “huge factor,” adding: “Anybody who wants to be governor is going to have to be strong and be willing to stand up to President Trump’s administration as they attack the things we care about here.”
Plus, Natalie Korach sits down with MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace about getting in the podcast game, while Olivia Empson reveals what life is like for the “Black Republican mafia” in DC.
It’s been quite a week. Thanks for reading and we’ll be back in your inbox Tuesday.
—Michael Calderone, editor |
