Fri, February 21, 2025

by: Reuters

Fired and rehired - the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul

By Timothy Gardner, Leah Douglas, Tim Reid and Valerie Volcovici WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal workers responsible for America's nuclear weapons, scientists trying to fight a worsening outbreak of bird flu,

by: ABC

Layoffs hit FAA, including employees tasked with producing air traffic navigation maps

Terminated probationary employees at the FAA include some who work on the team responsible for producing air traffic navigation maps, sources told ABC News.

by: wtvr

President Trump's first 30 days: Rapid government changes and controversial actions

President Trump has signed 74 executive orders, 20 memoranda and seven proclamations within his first 30 days, according to a Scripps News tally.

by: deseret

Utah law would hide direct payments to college athletes from public view

A Utah bill would hide direct payments to college athletes from public view. Schools contend the payments are protected under a federal education privacy law. Disbursements at public universities are generally public records.

by: pajiba

The Tyrannical GOP Is Ruthlessly Attacking One Trans Child and Putting Her Life in Danger

When it comes to trans folks, the federal government is doing everything in its power to erase an entire community. The President has signed an executive order defining sex strictly as male or female,

by: Newsweek

SNAP Benefits Face Cuts as RFK Jr. Goes After Junk Food

The recently appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has signaled his intention to cut "junk" food purchases from being purchased using SNAP benefits.

by: Slate

Trump Issued Perhaps His Most Terrifying Executive Order on Tuesday

Having already subdued Congress, Trump has now openly announced that the Führerprinzip governs the executive branch.

by: RealClearPolitics

Dem Rep. Crockett on Says "No" To DOGE Dividend Checks: "We Are Not In The Business Of Giving Out Money"

Texas, says she "wants some analysis" from Elon Musk about how he's advising President Trump on government efficiency. ABC NEWS HOST: Now, President Trump says he likes the idea of giving some of the savings from Doge back to Americans as kind of a dividend.

by: Salon

MAGA's not-so-secret weapon: "Major media are a key tool for Trump's destruction of the government"

"The takeover is easy when journalism and massive news orgs. stay the course and pretend everything is normal"

by: BBC

Senedd election could be 'most difficult' for Labour

The next Senedd election could be one of the most difficult Labour has faced in Wales, a senior politician from the party has said. Mick Antoniw told Walescast Labour needed to show things would improve in Wales ahead of the vote in May 2026.

by: Slate

This Might Be the Fastest Way to Get Elon Musk Out of the White House

These suits will no doubt proceed in the weeks and months ahead, as it falls to the courts to hold Musk accountable for his blatant indifference to the law. But beyond his individual actions, Musk's role raises more fundamental questions.

by: Politico

Long-distance relationship

— Like-minded: The friendship is rooted in the shared history of Canada and Ukraine. Under former Prime Minister BRIAN MULRONEY, Canada was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine's independence, and it is home to one of the largest Ukrainian diaspora communities in the world.

by: Mint

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Oath Ceremony LIVE: Rekha Gupta tables 14 CAG reports; Parvesh Verma allotted PWD and flood control

Rekha Gupta announces to table 14 CAG reports in first House meeting of Delhi Assembly. Parvesh Verma has been allotted PWD, legislative affairs, water, and flood control.

by: Reuters

Trump is firing federal workers who are not funded by taxpayers

Elon Musk's DOGE team has slashed hundreds of jobs paid for by fees from banks, medical device companies and other forms of funding rather than taxpayer dollars, raising the question of whether the cuts will render hoped for savings.

by: Alternet

DOGE's millions: As Musk and Trump gut government, their ax-cutting agency gets cash infusion

While Elon Musk and his underlings demand budget cuts and layoffs across the federal government, funding for their agency — the Department of Government Efficiency — has soared to nearly $40 million,

by: LocalSYR

Democrats channel their outrage over DOGE, Ukraine and more in marathon Senate session

The budget resolution from Republicans was on the agenda in the Senate, but the late-night debate encompassed so much more. Democrats used the overnight session that ended early

by: Tennessean

The week in politics: Why Tennessee lawmakers formed a bipartisan Israel caucus

An Tennessee-Israel legislative caucus gets formed. The group is bipartisan. A new bill would make it a crime to block the movement of the security detail of the House and Senate speakers. The Senate passes a bill requiring tattoo artists to undergo anti-trafficking training.

by: Newsweek

Airbnb Faces Boycott Calls

The calls come after Airbnb's billionaire co-founder, Joe Gebbia has reportedly joined Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

by: MSN

German politicians and chancellor candidates face off for one last debate ahead of Sunday's vote

Top German politicians and chancellor candidates faced off one last time in a debate on local broadcaster ZDF ahead of Sunday's federal elections. The war in Ukraine dominated an agenda packed with contentious topics which included immigration and the economy.

by: RealClearPolitics

DOGE Bros: Trump and Musk Tell Hannity the 'Bromance' Endures

What would you say you do here, Sean Hannity asked in so many words, and the world’s richest man replied, “Tech support.” The answer was quite

by: MSN

Trump's new ban makes scientists shudder

Doesn't signing executive orders give Donald Trump hand cramps? Since his return to the White House, he hasn't stopped. And this time, it's an executive order concerning the dismantling of the federal government's diversity and inclusion (DEI) programs that's causing concern.

by: cnbctv18

Delhi BJP government scraps all co-terminus appointments in ex-CM, ministers' offices

According to the official order, all officers, officials, and staff assigned from various departments, organisations, boards, and hospitals in a "diverted capacity" must immediately return to their parent departments.

by: Onefootball

SC Freiburg prepare for kickoff on German Federal Election Weekend: "More important than football." | OneFootball

In the always intertwined world of politics and Bundesliga football, SC Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster took an opportunity on Thursday to prove himself Christian Streich's true successor. Streich - actually one of the figures on the board responsible for electing Germany's (largely ceremonial) President - never missed an opportunity to weigh in on the state of German politics.

by: CNN

Hegseth could fire some senior generals and admirals soon, sources say

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth could soon move to fire more than half a dozen generals and flag officers, according to two sources familiar with the matter, part of an effort to purge the department of senior leaders perceived as either too political or too close to former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

by: CounterPunch

The Great Trump Media Robbery

After a month in which President Donald J. Trump allowed Elon Musk to launch a hostile takeover of the U.S. government, dispatched his talking dummy J.D.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump touts work of 1st month, praises Musk and DOGE

The chief counsel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was fired and escorted out of her office, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Government overhaul, Patel confirmed and tensions with Ukraine

President Donald Trump and his administration continue with their government overhaul efforts and foreign policy agenda. Follow for live updates.
Thu, February 20, 2025

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Attorney General Pam Bondi fires chief counsel of ATF

The chief counsel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was fired and escorted out of her office, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

by: WAtoday

Nationals to break ranks with Liberal colleagues and get election promises costed by treasury

The country party confirmed to WAtoday it would submit its costings to the Treasury next week, marking an embarrassing deviation from alliance partner the WA Liberal's defiant stance against using the agency to cost its commitments.

by: Forbes

Majority Of Americans Dislike Musk And Zuckerberg, New Research Shows

New research reveals that most U.S. adults feel unfavorably towards Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Why? That could be down to social media.

by: News4Jax

Musk waves a chainsaw and charms conservatives talking up Trump's cost-cutting efforts

Billionaire Elon Musk has created a buzz waving a chainsaw in the air at a conservative gathering outside Washington.

by: KING5

Jayapal: There will be 'direct consequences' to the country because of Trump administration layoffs

Jayapal discussed the federal layoffs, criticized the Trump administration's plans and her efforts to protect the trans community in an interview with KING 5.

by: BBC

Elon Musk and Javier Milei wield chainsaw on stage at conservative conference

by: News4Jax

Dr. Mehmet Oz holds millions from companies that he'd wield power over if confirmed, report shows

Dr. Mehmet Oz holds millions of dollars worth of shares in health insurance, fertility, pharmaceutical and vitamin companies.

by: WXYZ

Trump administration is considering 'dividend' checks from money generated by DOGE

The Trump Administration is considering having the so-called Department of Government Efficiency give some of its savings to the American people.

by: Reuters

Trump administration can continue mass firings of federal workers, US judge rules

The Trump administration can for now continue its mass firings of federal employees, a federal judge ruled on Thursday, rejecting a bid by a group of labor unions to halt President Donald Trump's dramatic downsizing of the roughly 2.

by: Newsweek

Trump Says DOGE Could Give 20% of Savings Directly to Taxpayers: Live Updates

President Donald Trump said he was considering a plan to Americans with savings from DOGE. Follow Newsweek's live blog for updates.

by: Newsweek

Kash Patel's Confirmation Tightens Trump's Control of Government

The Senate voted to confirm Kash Patel as FBI director on Thursday, tightening President Donald Trump's control of the federal government. Why It Matters. Patel was among a handfu

by: Yahoo

'Zero Day' Review: Robert De Niro Can't Save This Dull Dad TV Political Thriller

An all-star cast fails to elevate this lackluster conspiracy drama with no point of view The post 'Zero Day' Review: Robert De Niro Can't Save This Dull Dad TV Political Thriller appeared first on TheWrap.

by: WVXU

Analysis: Red states like Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana could be hurt most by Trump's cuts

The numbers clearly show how states like Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana won't be spared from the Trump/Musk budget-cuts.

by: Sky

Farage says Zelenskyy is not a dictator and Trump 'should not be taken literally'

Donald Trump has called the Ukrainian president a "dictator", and the US leader's ally Nigel Farage has remained silent on the controversial remarks until now.

by: CNN

Trump wants to 'abolish' the IRS and replace it with tariffs. Can it work?

No one wants to pay taxes, and practically every American dislikes the IRS. But, as the saying goes, the only guarantees in life are death and taxes. So the IRS is here to stay.

by: WLRN

Speed vs. accountability: The call to fix FEMA and the high stakes for Florida

President Trump has pledged to reform FEMA, while suggesting it should be done away with. Two Floridians who used to lead the agency told WLRN they support the process — but caution federal emergency management is needed.

by: britishhorseracing

Racing and Politics in 2025: A busy start to the year

The new year is always busy when it comes to political engagement and 2025 has been no exception.

by: RealClearPolitics

Tapper: Trump Calling Zelensky A Dictator Is More Than Just Upending The Normal Way Of Doing Things, He's Breaking With Facts

We begin today with President Trump seeming to upend the domestic and a global world order. Let's start with the global world order. This morning President Trump sending shockwaves throughout Europe when he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a quote dictator,

by: MSN

Trump Says Federal Government Should Govern D.C.

President Donald Trump said that the federal government should govern D.C. to make it safe.

by: MSN

Telangana government to introduce two separate bills on BC quota in Assembly

HYDERABAD: The state government has decided to hold special Assembly sessions from March 1 to 5 to introduce two separate BC Reservation Bills to provide 42 per cent quota to BCs in politics, employment and education.

by: CNN

Trump overhauls government and upends foreign policy on Ukraine

President Donald Trump and his administration continue with their government overhaul efforts and foreign policy agenda on Ukraine. Follow for live updates.

The Great Trump Media Robbery

After a month in which President Donald J. Trump allowed Elon Musk to launch a hostile takeover of the U.S. government, dispatched his talking dummy J.D.

The article "The Great Trump Media Robbery" from CounterPunch, published on February 21, 2025, discusses the controversial financial maneuvers surrounding Donald Trump's media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). It highlights how TMTG, which includes the social media platform Truth Social, has been embroiled in allegations of financial impropriety and stock manipulation. The piece details how Trump and his associates allegedly used the company to enrich themselves through questionable stock transactions and loans, with the stock price experiencing wild fluctuations that benefited insiders. The article also touches on the broader implications of these actions, suggesting that they reflect a pattern of behavior consistent with Trump's business dealings, where personal gain often overshadows ethical considerations. It critiques the lack of regulatory oversight and the potential damage to investor confidence in the market, painting a picture of a "robbery" not just of financial resources but also of public trust in media and corporate governance.

Read the Full CounterPunch Article at:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/02/21/the-great-trump-media-robbery/