Vice President JD Vance faced backlash after supporting the rehiring of Marko Elez, a former DOGE staffer who resigned due to resurfaced racist posts. Vance argued past social media activity shouldn't ruin Elez's life, while Elon Musk also supported his return. Critics argue Elez showed a lack of professionalism for a government role. Vance implied that the issue got more attention than it should have as the 25-year-old is not a cabinet secretary.
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Elon Musk, Trump's top donor and adviser, has rented a cottage at Mar-a-Lago to stay close to Trump. This proximity has allowed him significant access to Trump, including attending meetings and dinners. Musk's influence during the transition period has been substantial, but this unfettered access is expected to decrease after Trump is sworn in.
As Vance took the stage at the factory, he spoke about the protesters and wondered how they had free time on a Friday afternoon. 'I can't be the only person wondering it's a little after noon on a Friday ... Don't you all have jobs?' he asked making Usha Vance smile and the crowd applaud.
President Trump downplayed the dispute between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over a $500 billion AI project, attributing Musk's criticism to personal animosity. Despite Musk's skepticism about the project's funding, Trump expressed confidence in the involved companies and their financial capacity.
US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at the White House to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, with Trump emphasizing European responsibility. Starmer urged Trump for a US commitment to a Ukraine ceasefire, but Trump remains skeptical of direct involvement.
Efforts to control California wildfires continue, with improvements in weather conditions aiding containment. Experts predict significant progress over the weekend, although full control may take several more days. The Palisades Fire is at 17% containment, impacting 24,000 acres. Over 5,000 firefighters are battling the blaze.
Tudor Dixon, a conservative commentator and former Republican candidate for Michigan governor, is considering another run for office, potentially targeting the US Senate or governor. Despite her 2022 defeat, Dixon remains active in politics and continues to champion economic growth and conservative governance.
While Cyclone Alfred weakened, it still left a trail of damage as the Australian streets were flooded and many houses were left without power.
Over 100 North Korean soldiers have reportedly died fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine since December, with nearly 1,000 injured. Deployed to the Kursk region, these troops, often used as frontline assault units, are struggling against Ukrainian drone warfare and unfamiliar terrain. Rumors suggest further North Korean deployments are possible, with Russia potentially offering military technology in return.
The Trump administration plans to drastically reduce the staff of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), cutting down to fewer than 300 employees from the current 8,000. This reduction is part of efforts to potentially shut down USAID or integrate it under the State Department.
Joe Budden has been charged with lewdness after a neighbor reported seeing him naked in the hallway of their Edgewater, New Jersey apartment complex on December 4. The incident was captured on a doorbell camera, and Budden later addressed the event on his podcast, mentioning it was a result of sleepwalking.