Finally Friday Reads: Musk and Authoritarian Overreach

Posted: March 21, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: #FARTUS, Agency Purges, American Fascists, Breaking News, Broligarchy, FARTUS, kakistocracy | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

“More Oval Office updates” John Buss, @repeat1969,
@johnbuss.bsky.social

Good Day, Sky Dancers!

It’s come to the point where I don’t know where to start. There are so many alarming headlines today that it’s difficult to prioritize them.  We’re barely 2 months into this regime, and we’re already seeing folks sent to gulags in El Salvador.  Mislabelling people as terrorists is the latest tactic.  His attacks on Veterans’ Benefits, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and funds for educational programs for disabled and disadvantaged children aren’t going over well.  I think he’s decided that overplaying the terrorist card will be the red meat his KKKult needs. So, today’s Truth Social screed is a warning to anyone picking on poor little Elon Musk and his cars with doors that fall off and engines that explode.  He’s the King of “Rapid unscheduled disassembly” (RUD).  Does he really think he has this kind of power?  Can the courts stop this Evil Moron? This is from the Daily Beast. “Trump Threatens to Send Tesla Vandals to Prisons in El Salvador. The president also implied attacks on cars were part of a national conspiracy against his megadonor Elon Musk.” We’re already finding his ability to disappear people on the immigration front; now, this? What has happened to Due Process?  Does this include toilet papering the car lots? This is reported by Janet Brancolini.

President Donald Trump has joined the chorus of threats from his administration against anyone found guilty of vandalizing Teslas.

“People that get caught sabotaging Teslas will stand a very good chance of going to jail for up to 20 years, and that includes the funders,” Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. “WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!”

Hours later, he followed up with a second post musing that anyone who damages a Tesla could be deported to El Salvador.

“I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20-year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla,” he wrote. “Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!”

Deporting U.S. citizens is unconstitutional, the American Civil Liberties Union told NPR. Even deporting non-citizens to Salvadoran jails, as the administrative has already done, is legally suspect, given the documented human rights abuses that take place there, experts told the outlet.

A 2023 State Department report found that inmates in El Salvador have been electrocuted, tortured, and beaten to death.

The message came after Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that three defendants who had allegedly tried to use Molotov cocktails to light Teslas and charging stations on fire in Oregon, Colorado, and South Carolina were being charged with crimes that carried sentences of five to 20 years in prison. Those arrests were actually made weeks ago, The New York Times reported, but Bondi appeared to time the announcements in response to a fresh wave of attacks this week. Arsonists in Las Vegas set a row of Teslas ablaze at a service center on Tuesday, and two Cybertrucks went up in flames at a dealership in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday.
I guess our new AG is a Bondage girl.  Owners are trading in their Teslas at record rates. “Tesla confirms it can’t sell the Cybertruck even with tax credit and discounts,” according to Electrek. Evidently, things are so bad that Elon took time away from getting Top Secret meetings at the White House on China to ensure employees and stockholders that he’s on top of things. “Tesla’s Elon Musk holds surprise all-hands meeting to assuage employees and investors. ‘It feels like Armageddon out there,’ Musk said about vandalism of Tesla EVs. The CEO also gave updates on a number of future products like the Cybercab and Optimus robot.”

Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk held an impromptu company all-hands Thursday night, giving an update on the progress of a number of products while also attempting to assuage fears that the CEO is ignoring his post.

Tesla stock has been in free fall since the start of the year, with sales slipping in key regions like Europe and China and even in the US. Though the changeover to the new Model Y SUV has been seen as a drag on sales, Musk’s closeness to President Trump and embrace of right-wing politicians in Europe has seen Musk — and Tesla’s brand — suffer. Protests both in the US and abroad at Tesla showrooms are growing, as are acts of vandalism on Tesla EVs.

After delivering some opening remarks and a few quick updates on Tesla’s milestones, such as 7 million EVs produced and the new Model Y’s status, Musk addressed the elephant in the room: blowback to the Tesla brand from Musk’s foray into politics and leadership of the President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. “If you read the news, it feels like Armageddon. I can’t walk past a TV without seeing a Tesla on fire,” Musk said, referencing protesters setting Tesla vehicles on fire at dealerships and vandalism at Supercharger locations. “I understand if you don’t want to buy our product, but you don’t have to burn it down. That’s a bit unreasonable.”
I’m still laughing (mostly crying) that this is what Musk thinks is Armageddon, and it doesn’t include Veterans, Seniors, and kids with Special Needs not getting the help they need.  So, why then does he feel taking away my Social Security that I am entitled to or doing something obscene to the remains of my Student Loans is reasonable? I accidentally went back to X, and the account I supposedly deleted popped up while trying to read a post. But no worries! Glory of all Glories!  They suspended me!  Imagine this!  I have the power! I have no idea what this is and didn’t bother to look.  But I sure am having a delicious laughing fit over it all.   Check with the President of El Salvador, Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez, if I disappear!  Hey, if I didn’t have a sick, dark sense of humor, I wouldn’t have any sense of humor at all.
Your account, dakinikat, was detected by our systems and automatically suspended for violating the X Rules.
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Violating our rules against inauthentic behaviors.
You may not use our services to engage in inauthentic activity that undermines the integrity of X.
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I wasn’t aware the X even had integrity.  Also, wtf is inauthentic activity?  But the weird thing is Tesla stock is on the rise today.  Well, it’s not that weird, given the Secretary of Commerce just gave a speech suggesting the KKKult buy the stock since it will never be as cheap as it is now.  That White House Car Ad was filmed with the Hype Master FARTUS probably tickled the KKKult’s fancy.  Wait, that wasn’t it, according to AXIOS.  “Tesla falls after Commerce Secretary recommends buying stock.”  This analysis is by Ben Berkowitz
Tesla shares fell early Thursday after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick used a TV appearance to urge Americans to buy stock in Elon Musk’s car company. Why it matters: Cabinet secretaries don’t typically recommend individual stocks, much less those linked to the president’s closest adviser.
  • His recommendation was potentially overshadowed, though, by one of Tesla’s most fervent defenders on Wall Street calling the company’s situation a “crisis.”
What they’re saying: “I think, if you want to learn something on this show tonight, buy Tesla,” Lutnick said on Fox News Wednesday evening. “It’s unbelievable that this guy’s stock is this cheap. It’ll never be this cheap again.”
  • “I mean, who wouldn’t invest in Elon Musk? You gotta be kidding me.”
By the numbers: Tesla shares were down about 1.7% in premarket trading Thursday to $231.75.
  • The stock is down 5% in the last five days, 35% in the last month and 42% so far this year.
  • “We struggle to think of anything analogous in the history of the automotive industry, in which a brand has lost so much value so quickly,” JPMorgan analyst Ryan Brinkman said in a research note last week.
Between the lines: Lutnick’s comments are part of what has effectively become a Trump administration campaign to defend Tesla.
  • Last week President Trump held a public showcase of Tesla’s cars at the White House.
  • Amid a wave of “Tesla Takedown” rallies at dealerships nationwide, top administration officials have pledged to investigate protesters for domestic terrorism.
  • Trump said on Truth Social late Thursday, without elaborating further: “People that get caught sabotaging Teslas will stand a very good chance of going to jail for up to twenty years, and that includes the funders. WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!”
Of note: Just hours before Lutnick’s comments, Cantor Fitzgerald — the investment bank where he was previously CEO, which is now managed by his sons — upgraded Tesla’s stock. The intrigue: Lutnick’s recommendation came as one of Wall Street’s most bullish Tesla analysts sounded the alarm on the company’s future.
  • “Lets call it like it is: Tesla is going through a crisis and there is one person who can fix it….Musk,” Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives wrote in a research note Wednesday night.
  • “As someone who is a core bull and believer in the Telsa long term growth story…..I loudly urge Musk and the Board to step up, stop being silent, and help resolve this crisis forming at Tesla,” Ives said.
Well, that ‘of note’ is certainly of note.  I’d say this post today is enough to get me permanently banned from X, wouldn’t you? I just hope I get a crown, a sash, and a nice bouquet of flowers.  Maybe not; let’s try some more headlines before the fat lady over there sings. This is from Politico. “Elon Musk threatens Pentagon leakers after NYT report on secret China war briefing,  “They will be found,” warns U.S. President Donald Trump’s billionaire adviser as White House lashes out at the media.”  So, my big question is under what authority can he call out the hounds?
Donald Trump’s top adviser Elon Musk has openly threatened Pentagon employees who may have leaked information that the tech billionaire was due to get a briefing on a potential American war with China. The story, published by the New York Times on Thursday evening U.S. time, said that — according to anonymous American officials — the Pentagon planned to brief Musk on Friday about the U.S. military’s plan for any war that might break out with China. After the story went live, the planned meeting was confirmed by Pentagon officials and President Trump — but both denied that the session would discuss military plans involving China. “China will not even be mentioned or discussed,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. “How disgraceful it is that the discredited media can make up such lies. Anyway, the story is completely untrue!!!” Trump’s comments were then reposted on X by Musk, who called the New York Times “pure propaganda” and issued a threat, saying he looks “forward to the prosecution of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT.” “They will be found,” the tech billionaire warned. The New York Times report that infuriated the White House emphasized that such a briefing by the Pentagon would expand Musk’s already wide-ranging role, and would highlight questions about potential conflicts of interest, as Musk reaches deep into the federal bureaucracy while continuing to run his companies like SpaceX, a major government contractor, and doing business in China.
It’s a tag team!  Looks like Linda McMahon has taken them to school!  But, wait, she’s trying to dismantle schools.  Maybe they went to the woodshed instead for a little tête-à-tête. This is breaking news from the AP.  “Live updates: Education Secretary says she plans to ‘unwind’ regulations of department.”  Well, she’s sure not the Miss Linda from the New Orleans Romper Room!
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department, advancing a campaign promise to take apart an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said on Friday that she is preparing to relocate the department’s core operations to other agencies and roll back federal regulations.
You may hear her describe her “visions” for the DOE at Fox News if you can stomach it.  I’d rather read this article from ProPublica. “Parents Sue Trump Administration for Allegedly Sabotaging Education Department’s Civil Rights Division. The lawsuit claims that decimating the agency’s Office for Civil Rights will leave it unable to address issues of discrimination at school — violating the equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment.” Nothing like another lawsuit to give Pam Bondage something to do.
Saying the Trump administration is sabotaging civil rights enforcement by the Department of Education, a federal lawsuit filed Friday morning seeks to stop the president and Secretary Linda McMahon from carrying out the mass firing of civil rights investigators and lawyers. Two parents and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, a national disability rights group, jointly filed the lawsuit. It alleges that decimating the department’s Office for Civil Rights will leave the agency unable to handle the public’s complaints of discrimination at school. That, they said, would violate the equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The complaint comes three days after the Education Department notified about 1,300 employees — including the entire staff in seven of the 12 regional civil rights offices — that they are being fired, and the day after a group of 21 Democratic attorneys general sued McMahon and the president. That lawsuit alleges the Trump administration does not have the authority to circumvent Congress to effectively shutter the department. The complaint filed on Friday argues that the “OCR has abdicated its responsibility to enforce civil rights protections” and that the administration has made a “decision to sabotage” the Education Department’s civil rights functions. That, the lawsuit alleges, overrides Congress’ authority. It names the Education Department, McMahon and the acting head of OCR, Craig Trainor. “Through a series of press releases, policy statements, and executive orders, the administration has made clear its contempt for the civil rights of marginalized students,” the lawsuit says. The parents’ lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It asks the court to declare the “decimation” of the OCR unlawful and seeks an injunction to compel the office to “process OCR complaints promptly and equitably.”
For once, I’m really happy that this country has way too many lawyers.  So, the Democrats in Congress have announced a Whistle Blower site to encourage folks who are or have been Federal Employees to come forward with their stories about DOGE.  This is from AXIOS. “Scoop: Democrats open whistleblower portal aimed at DOGE.” This is reported by Stephen Neukam. enate Democrats are launching a new whistleblower portal for public and private workers to dish on how President Trump and DOGE are slashing the federal government. Why it matters: Democrats hope whistleblowers will expose what they argue are the White House’s illegal moves to unilaterally dismantle federal agencies and programs.
  • Democrats say they want to hear from workers who are witnessing how Trump and Elon Musk have withheld funding and fired federal workers without the approval of Congress.
  • The effort comes as Trump on Thursday signed an order aimed at shuttering the Education Department, an agency with a $268 billion budget.
  • The portal, which launches Friday, is spearheaded by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), whose staff on the Senate Budget Committee will conduct oversight of the new tool.
The big picture: Democrats — who hold minorities in both the House and Senate — have little recourse against Trump’s efforts to downsize the federal government,
  • But they have launched an anti-DOGE messaging offensive, betting that a sense Trump has overreach by Trump will be unpopular with voters. Polling has shown voters — especially younger ones — are concerned by DOGE’s actions.
  • And all of the cuts have happened without the approval of Congress, which the Constitution entrusts with the power of the purse. Democrats see the DOGE cuts as an assault on the power of Congress.”The President is not a king, and we will make sure he is held accountable,” Merkley said in a statement.
I guess we’ll see. Meanwhile, Trump threatens to shut down the Social Security Administration in a pique over a Judge’s decision to block Doge and Elon from going near the Agency.  This is from Bloomberg News. “Social Security Says DOGE Ruling Could Force Agency to Shut Down.”  Gregory Korte and Zoe Tillman have the story.
The Trump administration is threatening to all but shut down the Social Security Administration in response to a judge’s ruling blocking activities by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency — an action that could delay payments to millions of beneficiaries caught in the middle of the legal battle. Acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek said the temporary restraining order issued Thursday is so broad in blocking access to data by “DOGE affiliates” that it could apply to any Social Security employee. “My anti-fraud team would be DOGE affiliates. My IT staff would be DOGE affiliates,” Dudek said. “As it stands, I will follow it exactly and terminate access by all SSA employees to our IT systems.” He said he would ask the judge to immediately clarify her order. “Really, I want to turn it off and let the courts figure out how they want to run a federal agency,” he said. The judge concluded that the unions and the retiree-advocacy group that sued were likely to succeed in arguing that DOGE access to the agency’s systems violated US laws meant to safeguard sensitive information.

The standoff represents a new escalation in the multifront battle between President Donald Trump and the judiciary, potentially putting 73 million Americans who receive old-age or disability benefits in the crossfire.

‘All Legal Remedies’

The White House said Trump would “continue to seek all legal remedies available to ensure the will of the American people goes into effect.”

“In an 134-page decision, a radical leftist-judge ordered Social Security Administration employees not to implement the President’s government-efficiency agenda,” said White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields. “This is yet another activist judge abusing the judicial system to try and sabotage the President’s attempts to rid the government of waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Courts have previously restricted access by DOGE staffers to sensitive Treasury payment systems until they certify that they’ve received proper clearance and training. But Thursday’s order by US District Judge Ellen Hollander goes even further, forbidding access to any non-anonymized data. She also ordered DOGE staff to delete or purge any Social Security Administration data that it already had in its possession.

“The DOGE Team is essentially engaged in a fishing expedition at SSA, in search of a fraud epidemic, based on little more than suspicion,” Hollander wrote. “It has launched a search for the proverbial needle in the haystack, without any concrete knowledge that the needle is actually in the haystack.”

DOGE is still looking for dead people. If you want to read more about that, you may at the Indian Times.  The SSA is more worried about people being erroneously removed.  They’ve put up information on their site to help all who may have been prematurely marked by Doge as Dead.  CBS News has more information here. Kate Gibson has the information. “What Social Security says to do if you’re incorrectly listed as dead.”
More than 3 million deaths are reported to the Social Security Administration each year. Among them, a small portion — less than 10,000 — are erroneous and need to be corrected, according to the agency. “Our records are highly accurate,” the SSA stated Monday in a blog post following up on an update released Sunday by the SSA on its death record. Of the millions of death reports received by Social Security each year, less than one-third of 1% are incorrect and need to be fixed, it stated. Still, a person wrongly reported as deceased “can be devastating to the individual, spouse and dependent children,” as benefits are stopped and the process of restoring them can be long and challenging, according to SSA. The agency’s statements come nearly a month after the new SSA head contradicted claims that tens of millions of dead people over the age of 100 were receiving checks. Instead, those individuals “are people in our records with a Social Security number who do not have a date of death associated with their record,” said Lee Dudek, the new acting Social Security Administration commissioner who was placed in the role by President Trump, in a Feb. 19 statement. “These individuals are not necessarily receiving benefits,” he said.
So that’s it for me today.  I think that’s about all I can stomach. What’s on your Reading and Blogging list today? Get Over It!  An Eagles  Shout out to Elon!