Monday Tabs
- Via the BBC: Musk says Farage ‘doesn’t have what it takes’ to be Reform UK leader. What strikes me the most is that this is yet another example of Musk getting involved in far-right, nationalist politics.
- Via Politico: UK’s Starmer slams Musk’s ‘lies’ on grooming gangs .
In the British government’s most direct pushback at Musk yet, Starmer told reporters at a press conference in Surrey: “Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible, they are not interested in victims, they are interested in themselves.”
That sounds on point for Musk.
- Continuing a theme, also via Politico: Elon Musk’s European political meddling is ‘worrying,’ says Norway’s PM .
- Via CBS News: Thune has privately told Trump that Hegseth has the votes to be confirmed as Defense Secretary, sources say. At this point, I expect he will get what he wants, cabinet-wise.
- Via Reuters: Canada PM Trudeau is likely to announce resignation, source says .
- Via Axios: Axios interview: Susie Wiles vows to block West Wing troublemakers . On the one hand, the 2024 campaign was less chaotic than those previous, but on the other, controlling the WH staff is easier said than done, so we’ll see.
- Via NPR: Biden bans new offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters . I am not sure what my exact views are on the substance of the order, but I will note that the politics of this aren’t great insofar as it gives the GOP a talking point that Biden is anti-American energy and that Trumps is going ot come in and save us. In other words, it reinforces some narratives that belie the reality that the US is producsing more oil than it ever has, despite the claims of the incoming administration. And at the ris of re-igniting the lame duck discussion, moves like this, shielded as they are from electoral consequences, undercut Democratic arguments that they are the party protecting democracy against Trump. These last minute orders (see, also, blocking the Nippon Steel deal at the eleventh hour) give Trump and his allies a lot of rhetorical ammo that that Dems don’t respect democracy.