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Did Elon Musk “cosy up” to Donald Trump?

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A federal judge has brought attention to the possibility of Elon Musk’s involvement in trying to establish a rapport with former President Donald Trump during a criminal probe.

The revelation emerged from a court transcript released on Wednesday.

During a hearing on February 7, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell probed Twitter’s legal team about the delay in providing data related to Trump’s Twitter account to special counsel Jack Smith, who held a search warrant for the ex-president’s account.

At the time of the hearing, Twitter, now known as X, was resisting compliance with the warrant, citing legal arguments and its intention to notify Trump about the investigation.

Suspended account

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, acquired Twitter in late 2022 and reinstated Trump’s account, which had been suspended following the January 2021 Capitol riot.

Concerned about the delay in compliance, Judge Howell commented, “Twitter has had quite some time to comply with the warrant and have everything prepared to turn over, so I am a little bit concerned about where we are,” as per the transcript.

Subsequently, Twitter provided the necessary data related to Trump’s Twitter account to Smith’s team on February 9. The company was then fined $350,000 as part of a contempt sanction.

91 charges

Former President Trump is currently facing 91 felony charges across four criminal cases related to his efforts to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

During the February hearing, Judge Howell engaged in a detailed exchange with Twitter’s legal team, questioning their understanding of the warrant’s scope and the nature of the information sought by the government.

Addressing the possibility of Musk’s involvement, Judge Howell inquired, “Is it because the CEO wants to cozy up with the former president, and that’s why you are here?”

Search material

The conversation between the judge and the defense team revolved around the search for material and the interpretation of rights related to the First Amendment and executive privilege. Twitter claimed that these rights could limit its ability to provide materials to the government.

In response to Judge Howell’s query about Twitter’s motivations, George Varghese, Twitter’s lawyer, stated, “Twitter has no interest other than litigating its constitutional rights, your honor.”

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DOGE cuts billions as federal spending overhaul continues

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Musk-Led Department slashes DEI grants while Transportation Secretary seeks tech innovation.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has eliminated over $370 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants at the Department of Education within just 48 hours.

In a post on X, DOGE revealed that 70 DEI training grants were terminated, marking the latest move in its effort to cut federal spending.

This follows another major budget reduction last week when DOGE slashed $881 million in Department of Energy contracts, including more than $100 million allocated to DEI programs.

The sweeping cuts signal a broader initiative under the Trump administration to curb what it considers excessive government spending.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that SpaceX workers will visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center on Monday as part of an effort to modernize U.S. air travel.

Duffy, who has been vocal about the need for infrastructure reform, stated that President Trump has tasked him with developing a world-class air traffic control system.

He has also called on American tech developers and businesses to contribute their expertise to the initiative.

With DOGE rapidly restructuring federal expenditures and the administration emphasizing private-sector partnerships in public services, the coming months could see further policy shifts.

Critics argue that these moves may reduce funding for key programs, while supporters praise them as necessary steps toward fiscal responsibility.

Oz Sultan, the Chief Strategist with the Sultan Interactive Group joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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Delta flight crash in Toronto, eight injuries reported

Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight; all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

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Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight – all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

In Short

A Delta flight crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving eight people injured, with one in critical condition. All passengers and crew have been accounted for.

The incident occurred on Monday as the plane arrived at the airport.

Images show the aircraft upside-down on the snow.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Peel Regional Police report that eight people were injured in the crash.

One person is listed as critical with non-life-threatening injuries, while seven others have moderate to mild injuries.

Authorities stated that all passengers and crew members have been accounted for.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Further details are not currently available.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information comes in.

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Trump State Department angers China by removing Taiwan phrase

China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

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China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

In Short

The Trump State Department removed a key phrase about Taiwan relations from its website, causing outrage in China. Despite this, a spokesperson reaffirmed the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged and underscored the commitment to peace in the region.

Previously, the State Department’s fact sheet stated that the U.S. did not support Taiwan’s independence.

This phrase was deleted last week, prompting Chinese officials to demand an immediate correction, asserting it sends the wrong signal to pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

In response, a State Department spokesperson clarified that the U.S. stance on Taiwan remains unchanged.

The U.S. is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.

The spokesperson also emphasised support for cross-Strait dialogue, with an expectation that differences should be resolved peacefully.

Chinese President Xi Jinping – Reuters

Sole government

The relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has long been complex, as the U.S. adheres to the “One China” policy. This policy acknowledges Beijing as the sole government of China while not explicitly affirming its claim to Taiwan.

Due to this understanding, the U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is reflected in the absence of a U.S. embassy on the island.

China’s response highlights the ongoing tensions over Taiwan’s status and the delicate nature of U.S.-China relations. Overall, the situation underscores the challenges that arise from differing perspectives on Taiwan’s future.

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