memeorandum: Statement from President Joe Biden on the Plane Crash in the Republic of Korea (The White House)

3:30 PM ET, December 29, 2024

Top Items:

Trump Finally Takes Sides in The Civil War Tearing MAGA Apart — President-elect Donald Trump finally spoke out on the civil war driving a wedge between growing factions in the MAGA movement—and he's thrown his weight behind his new pal Elon Musk.With Trump's inauguration still more than 20 days away …

Discussion: Raw Story, Althouse and CBS News

Paul Krugman / Krugman wonks out:

MAGA Is Already Eating Its Own. Pass the Popcorn — Dear Laura Loomer: You weren't in on the con. You were one of the marks. — Like many observers, I expected severe buyers' regret fairly early in the second Trump administration. After all, many Americans who voted for Trump …

Ken Bensinger / New York Times:

Trump Weighs In on H-1B Visas Supported by Elon Musk — He said in an interview that he had used the visas for skilled workers “many times.” But he has mainly used visas for unskilled workers like housekeepers. — President-elect Donald J. Trump appeared to weigh in on Saturday …

Financial Times:

German politicians attack Elon Musk article praising far-right AfD — Lawmakers from Social Democrats and Greens criticise media group Axel Springer over publication of opinion piece — German politicians have criticised media conglomerate Axel Springer for publishing an opinion article …

Discussion: CBS News, Reuters and The Hill, more at Mediagazer »

Christopher F. Schuetze / New York Times:

Musk Doubles Down on Support for German Far-Right Party — The world's richest man, a key adviser to President-elect Donald J. Trump, ridicules critics over his backing of the German extremist party AfD, as Germany prepares for elections. — Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a close adviser …

Discussion: Business Insider, Mother Jones, The Independent, Rolling Stone, Bloomberg, Civil Discourse …, Associated Press, The Gateway Pundit, Digby's Hullabaloo, Politico and Reuters

Russel L. Honoré / New York Times:

Elon Musk Is a National Security Risk — It is now fair to ask the question: Is Elon Musk a national security risk? — According to numerous interviews and remarks, Mr. Musk's Department of Government Efficiency co-leader, Vivek Ramaswamy, once appeared to believe he was.

Lawrence Hurley / NBC News:

‘The first to sue’: Opposing Trump's desire to end birthright citizenship is personal for this attorney general — The son of immigrants is among 23 Democratic attorneys general likely to be regularly suing the incoming Trump administration over contentious policies.

Discussion: Slate

John Hanna / Associated Press:

Kansas once required voters to prove citizenship. That didn't work out so well — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

The White House:

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Plane Crash in the Republic of Korea — Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life that occurred as a result of the Jeju Airlines accident in Muan, Republic of Korea. As close allies, the American people share deep bonds of friendship …

Kipp Jones / Mediaite:

Gov. Sununu Claims Elon Musk is Too Rich to Have Conflict of Interest Between Business and Vast Influence Over Trump Administration — Republican New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu argued Sunday that Elon Musk is too wealthy to have a conflict of interest regarding his businesses and his influence …

Discussion: Rolling Stone, Raw Story, New York Post, The Independent and Breitbart

Wall Street Journal:

Some Justice Department Lawyers Look for Protection—and the Exits — Officials who worked on politically sensitive cases weigh moves ahead of Donald Trump's second term — WASHINGTON—Justice Department lawyers who have angered President-elect Donald Trump and his allies are facing tough decisions …

Discussion: The Post Millennial

Gregory Svirnovskiy / Politico:

‘I could never do his job’: Former Speaker Newt Gingrich shows support for Mike Johnson — The House will gather Friday to pick a speaker. And with Republicans expected to have a slim majority, Johnson can only afford one defection. — Newt Gingrich, who led House Republicans through …

Discussion: Washington Examiner and The Hill

Washington Post:

Trump team says Canada, Greenland, Panama comments are part of a broader plan — Not everyone is convinced.

Discussion: New York Daily News and The Hill

The Hill:

Democrats taunt Trump with ‘President Musk’ moniker — Democrats are taunting President-elect Trump with claims that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is calling the shots instead of the incoming president. — And with Musk set to play a major role in Trump's second term …