Trump spent most of this week trying to corral the Senate to pass his plan to cut taxes for the rich — and pay for it by taking food and health care from the poorest Americans.
Thanks Dan! This is an opportunity. We need to pound it home. Musk is a horror show, but this does significant damage to a real bad piece of legislation. In fact, this "Big Beautiful Bill" will ruin the country. I hesitate to appear to agree with Elon Musk, (it feels so wrong), but we need to help the republicans tear each other apart. Stopping this bill would be an enormous victory and a good thing. In the end the only reason this bill exists is because the oligarchs want to find a way to gift themselves with another giant tax cut--at the nation's expense. In the end, they will not care a bit about deficits, social programs, equity, common decency, justice, or the public good.
This omnibus bill exists because of greed. Conservative is a multi syllable way to spell greed. Large donors to Republicans want money coming to them in any way possible be it from removing regulations, gaining government contracts, or tax cuts. The rest of us be damned.
Dan, who in the Dem party will draw the short straw and gets to go buddy up to Musk and pry him away from the GOP? I know, let’s send Beto — a likable personality with no discernible electoral future. We don’t want him back, we just want him apolitical and focused on becoming the next John DeLorean.
Then we wait for our opportunity to reclaim Bobby Kennedy. Maybe Marian Williamson has some time on her hands.
Without these two, it’s a decent bet Trump never wins.
If Trump is now able to bring Musk back into the fold, or neutralize him on this issue, that would be a process we should all watch and learn from. But I don’t think he will.
I have always believed Musk loathes Trump and hid it merely to get close to him, seize some influence, and shutdown the regulators investigating his various businesses. Now the gloves are off. This is like watching Godzilla versus King Kong.
I understand what Dan is advising, and it makes sense for anyone who has sway with someone who has positive regard for Musk and who can speak carefully. But I hope like hell the big-megaphone Dems don't eff this up.
By all reports, Elon is not blasting the bill because he is a good American. He is blasting the bill because he is a good Republican, meaning that the only thing he cares about is himself, he's lashing out because the bill doesn't serve him the way he wants, and he's butt hurt about the erosion of his power within the White House.
If Dems do the usual over the top hero worship of anyone who seems to agree with us even for a nano blip and for all the wrong reasons, we will once again reinforce that we are pathetically weak and stand for nothing. People out here on the ground have worked like holy hell to get Americans to see Musk's evil - and we've been effective. If there's even a hint, a careless word, a mere nod that Musk could be right about anything, well, there we go again.
I see this as two bull elephant seals bashing one another, driven by all-consuming lust to be number one, and smashing everything around them - including us. God help us if we say that one of those tons-of-blubber is right.
I agree that having Elon trash Trump’s BBB is more likely to stop/slow its progress than Democratic criticism (or even fears from “deficit hawks,” who would actually be right this time). But I don’t see how “progressive influencers” can “amplify” anything that’s already being put out by the *owner* of Twitter/X. I do see how it could be a useful talking point when it comes to responding to Trumpy family members and such. Perhaps the thing to emphasize is that, in this case, Elon is right about the effect this could have on the economy—even aside from the obscenity of taxing the poor to give to the rich, the ballooning debt combined with trade war could seriously make everybody’s dollars worth a whole lot less. It’s time for Democrats to embrace being the party of fiscal responsibility (only Democratic administrations have reduced the budget deficit in this century).
Dan, I wanted to add another comment, and this is also regarding what you wrote about tariffs the other day.
Trump says he wants to move manufacturing to the US, and wants us to build factories, etc. But today he put in a 50% tariff on steel. While I am not a builder, I am assuming you need steel to build a factory.
This is a simple message to Americans about how stupid this guy is.
Watching Trump's +10 years on the national political stage we know he deploys special tactics when attacking his enemies. He projects his own fears, weaknesses, crimes and delusions onto them when, in fact, these descriptions are many times really description of himself.
Which brings us to his recent post about Joe Biden being dead but his persona lives on as an AI robot controlled by evil forces.
Is this message the hallucinating, FOX programed AI robot who has taken over Trump's brain desperately trying to send us a message for help?? "Get me out of here and back to a safe golf course before it's too late"
What happens with this bill is critically important, but what's REALLY interesting here is where this feud goes. Both thought they'd bought the other. Trump responded by threatening musk's contracts. Musk responded with Epstein. This pot isn't even close to boiling over yet.
Donald Trump may have bullied his way back into the Oval Office, but now he faces a darker force than Nancy Pelosi with a subpoena: Elon Musk with a grudge. After Trump cut EV tax credits and called Musk ungrateful, Elon didn't just clap back—he detonated.
Now imagine 2026: Musk, with his army of followers, flips House and Senate seats like Bitcoin on a caffeine high.
Suddenly Trump’s “beautiful” second term is littered with subpoenas, not parades. Congressional Dems—emboldened and Elon-powered—launch investigation after investigation: political revenge probes, authoritarian abuse panels, maybe even a little “Trump in the Epstein files” special committee for spice.
And while Trump tweets about “deep state hoaxes,” Musk builds a political party, a media empire, and maybe a SpaceX-funded truth cannon just to livestream every impeachment hearing in 12K. Trump once mocked the swamp—now he’s drowning in it, and Elon’s the one holding the fire hose, powered by solar.
So no, this isn’t MAGA. It’s M.A.D.—Musk-Activated Demolition of a presidency unraveling in real time.
To me, it just is another sign of what an untethered, random, ridiculous bag of goons are steering us right now. I’m deeply worried. Musk taking issue with the Big Bad Bag of Bullshit is not terribly comforting to me…he has his own interests to further and I am certain they do not align with mine, or those of the people I care about. But if anyone wants to give DT some grief, however transitory and insignificant, it’s fine with me.
Certainly amplify Musk's rant - as the MAGA-verse would do in similar circumstances...throw in Ernst's comments too. Frankly the "MAGA types" who hate healthcare for the poor, by definition hate healthcare for their own voters...another piece of the message. That said, as we've seen - MAGA voters will have to actually lose their healthcare before they pay attention. This is true almost universally, and applies to both parties.
Thanks Dan! This is an opportunity. We need to pound it home. Musk is a horror show, but this does significant damage to a real bad piece of legislation. In fact, this "Big Beautiful Bill" will ruin the country. I hesitate to appear to agree with Elon Musk, (it feels so wrong), but we need to help the republicans tear each other apart. Stopping this bill would be an enormous victory and a good thing. In the end the only reason this bill exists is because the oligarchs want to find a way to gift themselves with another giant tax cut--at the nation's expense. In the end, they will not care a bit about deficits, social programs, equity, common decency, justice, or the public good.
This omnibus bill exists because of greed. Conservative is a multi syllable way to spell greed. Large donors to Republicans want money coming to them in any way possible be it from removing regulations, gaining government contracts, or tax cuts. The rest of us be damned.
Yes.
Dan, who in the Dem party will draw the short straw and gets to go buddy up to Musk and pry him away from the GOP? I know, let’s send Beto — a likable personality with no discernible electoral future. We don’t want him back, we just want him apolitical and focused on becoming the next John DeLorean.
Then we wait for our opportunity to reclaim Bobby Kennedy. Maybe Marian Williamson has some time on her hands.
Without these two, it’s a decent bet Trump never wins.
This made me laugh out loud today! Short straw for sure.
Done as soon as it came out. 💯 agree.
If Trump is now able to bring Musk back into the fold, or neutralize him on this issue, that would be a process we should all watch and learn from. But I don’t think he will.
I have always believed Musk loathes Trump and hid it merely to get close to him, seize some influence, and shutdown the regulators investigating his various businesses. Now the gloves are off. This is like watching Godzilla versus King Kong.
LET THEM FIGHT
I understand what Dan is advising, and it makes sense for anyone who has sway with someone who has positive regard for Musk and who can speak carefully. But I hope like hell the big-megaphone Dems don't eff this up.
By all reports, Elon is not blasting the bill because he is a good American. He is blasting the bill because he is a good Republican, meaning that the only thing he cares about is himself, he's lashing out because the bill doesn't serve him the way he wants, and he's butt hurt about the erosion of his power within the White House.
If Dems do the usual over the top hero worship of anyone who seems to agree with us even for a nano blip and for all the wrong reasons, we will once again reinforce that we are pathetically weak and stand for nothing. People out here on the ground have worked like holy hell to get Americans to see Musk's evil - and we've been effective. If there's even a hint, a careless word, a mere nod that Musk could be right about anything, well, there we go again.
I see this as two bull elephant seals bashing one another, driven by all-consuming lust to be number one, and smashing everything around them - including us. God help us if we say that one of those tons-of-blubber is right.
You are probably right. And doing that hero worship thing makes me queasy.
I’m bringing the popcorn!
I'm throwing the popcorn!
I agree that having Elon trash Trump’s BBB is more likely to stop/slow its progress than Democratic criticism (or even fears from “deficit hawks,” who would actually be right this time). But I don’t see how “progressive influencers” can “amplify” anything that’s already being put out by the *owner* of Twitter/X. I do see how it could be a useful talking point when it comes to responding to Trumpy family members and such. Perhaps the thing to emphasize is that, in this case, Elon is right about the effect this could have on the economy—even aside from the obscenity of taxing the poor to give to the rich, the ballooning debt combined with trade war could seriously make everybody’s dollars worth a whole lot less. It’s time for Democrats to embrace being the party of fiscal responsibility (only Democratic administrations have reduced the budget deficit in this century).
Dan, I wanted to add another comment, and this is also regarding what you wrote about tariffs the other day.
Trump says he wants to move manufacturing to the US, and wants us to build factories, etc. But today he put in a 50% tariff on steel. While I am not a builder, I am assuming you need steel to build a factory.
This is a simple message to Americans about how stupid this guy is.
How is it possible that this incoherent tyrant with a head like a hairy potato continues to thrive?
Watching Trump's +10 years on the national political stage we know he deploys special tactics when attacking his enemies. He projects his own fears, weaknesses, crimes and delusions onto them when, in fact, these descriptions are many times really description of himself.
Which brings us to his recent post about Joe Biden being dead but his persona lives on as an AI robot controlled by evil forces.
Is this message the hallucinating, FOX programed AI robot who has taken over Trump's brain desperately trying to send us a message for help?? "Get me out of here and back to a safe golf course before it's too late"
It is truly insane in a world that increasingly looks like a Fun House.
What happens with this bill is critically important, but what's REALLY interesting here is where this feud goes. Both thought they'd bought the other. Trump responded by threatening musk's contracts. Musk responded with Epstein. This pot isn't even close to boiling over yet.
Trump’s Dark Timeline: Elon’s Revenge Edition
Donald Trump may have bullied his way back into the Oval Office, but now he faces a darker force than Nancy Pelosi with a subpoena: Elon Musk with a grudge. After Trump cut EV tax credits and called Musk ungrateful, Elon didn't just clap back—he detonated.
Now imagine 2026: Musk, with his army of followers, flips House and Senate seats like Bitcoin on a caffeine high.
Suddenly Trump’s “beautiful” second term is littered with subpoenas, not parades. Congressional Dems—emboldened and Elon-powered—launch investigation after investigation: political revenge probes, authoritarian abuse panels, maybe even a little “Trump in the Epstein files” special committee for spice.
And while Trump tweets about “deep state hoaxes,” Musk builds a political party, a media empire, and maybe a SpaceX-funded truth cannon just to livestream every impeachment hearing in 12K. Trump once mocked the swamp—now he’s drowning in it, and Elon’s the one holding the fire hose, powered by solar.
So no, this isn’t MAGA. It’s M.A.D.—Musk-Activated Demolition of a presidency unraveling in real time.
To me, it just is another sign of what an untethered, random, ridiculous bag of goons are steering us right now. I’m deeply worried. Musk taking issue with the Big Bad Bag of Bullshit is not terribly comforting to me…he has his own interests to further and I am certain they do not align with mine, or those of the people I care about. But if anyone wants to give DT some grief, however transitory and insignificant, it’s fine with me.
Certainly amplify Musk's rant - as the MAGA-verse would do in similar circumstances...throw in Ernst's comments too. Frankly the "MAGA types" who hate healthcare for the poor, by definition hate healthcare for their own voters...another piece of the message. That said, as we've seen - MAGA voters will have to actually lose their healthcare before they pay attention. This is true almost universally, and applies to both parties.