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☆ Elon Musk met with Iran’s United Nations envoy, NYT reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest person and close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, met with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations on Monday, the New York Times reported, citing two Iranian officials. CNN is reaching out to Musk and Trump’s transition team for comment. The reported meeting comes as experts speculate that the next four years could pose a significant test for Iran. Just last week, the day after the presidential election, Musk joined Trump’s call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to two sources. Trump announced Tuesday that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” in his second administration.

Persons: New York CNN — Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Amir Saeid Iravani, Biden, Trump, Musk, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Vivek Ramaswamy, Government ” Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Nations, New York Times, CNN, UN, Trump, “ Department, Government, NASA, Republicans Locations: New York, Iran, Tehran, Israel, Starlink, Ukraine, Russia, Government

House Republicans’ razor-thin victory was propelled by Trump’s decisive win over Vice President Kamala Harris in both the Electoral College and the popular vote. So far, Republicans have captured the 218 seats needed to secure the majority to Democrats’ 208 seats. Last week, Republicans flipped three Democratic Senate seats to win control of the upper chamber. They were among the 18 GOP House districts that President Joe Biden carried in 2020. Democratic challenger George Whitesides also ousted vulnerable GOP Rep. Mike Garcia in Southern California.

Persons: Donald Trump, House Republicans ’, Trump’s, Kamala Harris, Hakeem Jeffries, Mike Johnson, Brandon Williams, Anthony D’Esposito, Marc Molinaro, Joe Biden, George Whitesides, Mike Garcia, Rob Bresnahan, Matt Cartwright, Trump, Ryan Mackenzie, Susan Wild, Scott Perry, Janelle Stelson, Perry, Elissa Slotkin, Gabe Evans, Yadira Caraveo, Sen, Lindsey Graham, It’s, Johnson, Elise Stefanik, Mike Waltz, Kevin McCarthy of, —, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, ” Johnson, “, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON, NBC News, Republican, Trump, House Republicans, Electoral College, Democrats, Republicans, ’, Democratic, GOP, Keystone State, Freedom, Democratic Rep, Affordable, New, New York Republican, White Locations: Washington, America, New York, Syracuse, Long, Hudson, Southern California, battlegrounds, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Keystone, Allentown, Harrisburg, Denver, Florida, Kevin McCarthy of California, Louisiana, Minnesota

Bidders interested in acquiring the media company founded by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones will battle it out at a bankruptcy auction Wednesday, potentially silencing his Infowars broadcasting platform for good. "All you leftists celebrating the end of Alex Jones and Infowars, you're fools," he said. Jay Westbrook, a University of Texas bankruptcy law professor, said the ultimate goal would be to earn a "maximum return for the victims." Jones, 50, founded Infowars, which operates under Free Speech Systems, in 1999. "Despite the judgment, Alex Jones still has a First Amendment right to speak his mind and continue to speak about anything he wants," he said.

Persons: Alex Jones, Jones, Sandy, Infowars, Roger Stone, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Christopher Murray, Sandy Hook, Jay Westbrook, Callie Kalny, Roy Gutterman Organizations: Free Speech Systems, Elementary, ThreeSixty, Associated Press, University of Texas, Center of Media Psychology, Northwestern University, Musk, U.S, Bankruptcy, Southern, Southern District of, Sandy Hook Elementary, Speech Systems, Syracuse University, Center, Free Locations: Winnebago, Austin , Texas, Infowars, Southern District, Southern District of Texas, Newtown , Connecticut, Connecticut, Texas

☆ Trump's first term avoided a fight in the South China Sea. It's only getting harder.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-13 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementIn his first term, Donald Trump ramped up military actions to counter China in the South China Sea. South China Sea observers expect continuity with the Biden administration, which tried to ramp up diplomatic efforts and strengthen US alliances and security partnerships. Chinese Coast Guard holding knives and machetes as they approach Philippine troops in the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. AdvertisementThough Trump hasn't outlined a specific South China Sea plan, he could pursue his broader foreign policy mantra of "peace through strength." "Unrestrained US militarization is precisely what drives Beijing's insecurity and will continue to exacerbate tensions in the South China Sea," Marston said.

Persons: Donald Trump ramped, Donald Trump, Trump, Hunter Marston, Trump hasn't, Biden, Gregory Poling, Joe Biden, Marston, Sari Arho Havrén, Chip Somodevilla, Zeno Leoni, Leoni Organizations: Australian National University, China, Southeast Asia, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Trump, Coast Guard, Armed Forces, AP, CBS, Royal United Services, Ukraine, King's College London's Defense Studies Department, Rand Corporation, Biden's National Security Locations: China, South China, Philippines, Asia, Pacific, Philippine, Europe, South Korea, Palm Beach, South, East Asia

☆ Elon Musk worries free speech advocates with his calls to prosecute researchers and critics
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-13 | by ( David Ingram | Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

He cited X's increasing compliance with foreign governments' demands to censor content on the platform and the lawsuits against the Center for Countering Digital Hate and Media Matters. X has a pending lawsuit against Media Matters and a pending appeal in a lawsuit that X lost against the Center for Countering Digital Hate. The ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed an amicus brief in support of the Center for Countering Digital Hate. The feud between Musk and the Center for Countering Digital Hate has continued. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, also criticized the Center for Countering Digital Hate on Thursday, sending the organization a demand for documents related to the "Kill Musk's Twitter" language.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Anna Moneymaker, Musk, Victoria Nuland, Nadine Strossen, Trump, Strossen, they're, Aaron Terr, Terr, there's, Michael Gerhardt, Chapel Hill, —, X, Charles Breyer, Imran Ahmed, Elon, Ahmed, Jim Jordan Organizations: Republican, State Department, Center, American Civil Liberties Union, New York Law School, SpaceX, Justice Department, Foundation, Rights, Hate, Media, NBC News, NBC, Media Matters, University of North, Chapel, Department, The Justice, District, ACLU, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Columbia University, Racket, Federal Government Locations: Butler , Pennsylvania, University of North Carolina, U.S, Ohio

☆ How Trump's Army veteran pick for Pentagon chief, Fox & Friends' Pete Hegseth, sees the world
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-13 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementTrump has tapped Pete Hegseth, an Army veteran and Fox News host, to be secretary of defense. US President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Pete Hegseth, a Fox & Friends host and US Army National Guard veteran, to be secretary of defense. Hegseth was considered for Veterans Affairs secretary during Trump's first term and faced pushback from veterans group leaders. All US military combat roles opened to women in 2015. AdvertisementThroughout the war, Hegseth has shifted stances, calling Putin a "war criminal" and criticizing Biden for not getting Ukraine military aid quickly enough.

Persons: Pete Hegseth, Hegseth, Donald Trump, Joe, Trump, Trump's, Brace, Paul Rieckhoff, Adam Smith, Adam Kinzinger, Joe Biden's, Shawn Ryan, he'll, Abreanna Goodrich, we've, Shawn Ryan Show, Genya SAVILOV, AFP Hegseth, He's, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Biden, Israel Trump's, Doug Mills, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel wasn't, he's, Xiang Organizations: Trump, Army, Fox News, Defense Department, NATO, Fox & Friends, US Army National Guard, Israel, Wall Street, Veterans Affairs, SecDef, Independent Veterans of, Fox, Department of Defense, House Armed Services, Air National Guard, Republican, US National Guard, Pentagon, US Army, Spc, AFP, Kyiv, Warriors, Israeli, Getty, US Locations: Ukraine, America, Independent Veterans of America, Iraq, Afghanistan, Jerusalem, Russia, Soviet Union, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Washington, China, Xinhua, Asia, Pacific, Taiwan

DeSantis does not have to listen to Trump, after the two men saw their relationship fray amid DeSantis' national rise and his failed 2024 presidential campaign. “I think that pick makes a lot of sense, and would be great for Florida,” said a Trump ally who acknowledged there is interest from Trump world in seeing DeSantis appoint Lara Trump. "I have heard that too," a DeSantis ally said of Lara Trump getting in the mix for the Senate appointment. Two DeSantis advisers told NBC News that it is very unlikely DeSantis would appoint himself, even though the option remains open. “She would avoid a really nasty primary in two years.”“I’m giving her my full backing” she continued of Lara Trump, who is a North Carolina resident.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Sen, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Lara, Rubio, Trump, wouldn't, Lara Trump, ”, DeSantis, “, James Uthmeier, Trump's, Commerce Wilbur Ross, Uthmeier, James, it's, Gov, Jeanette Nunez, General Ashley Moody, Paul Renner, Jose Oliva, Laurel Lee, Susie Wiles, Wiles, Ron, I’ve, Florida Sen, Rick Scott, Marco Rubio’s, Anna Paulina Luna, Benny Johnson, “ I’m Organizations: Florida Gov, Senate, State Department, Trump, Florida Republicans, NBC, Commerce, NBC News, Republican, Florida, Gov Locations: TALLAHASSEE, Fla, Florida, U.S, North Carolina

Mike Huckabee as the U.S. ambassador to Israel, a high-profile diplomatic posting in a tumultuous region. On the campaign trail, Trump, a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to put an end to the conflict. “I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, has been nominated to be The United States Ambassador to Israel,” Trump said in a statement. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Huckabee's daughter, the current Arkansas governor and a former Trump administration official, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, was also a top surrogate for Trump.

Persons: Donald Trump, Mike Huckabee, Benjamin Netanyahu, Huckabee, Trump, “, ” Trump, “ Mike, Israel, Mike, Sarah Huckabee Sanders Organizations: Arkansas Gov, Huckabee, Hamas, Qatar, Republican, Trump, United, Republican Jewish Coalition Locations: U.S, Israel, Jerusalem, Gaza, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, United States, Faith

“Any disputes Musk has with his critics should play out in the court of public opinion, not a court of law,” Terr said. Musk and representatives at X did not respond to requests for comment on his calls for prosecution. Musk and X have sometimes found allies among members of Congress or state attorneys general who have launched investigations. “The First Amendment obviously protects both Musk and his critics in making public pronouncements about each other,” he said in an email. The feud between Musk and the Center for Countering Digital Hate has continued.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, Victoria Nuland, ”, ” Musk, Donald Trump, Nadine Strossen, Trump, Strossen, they’re, ” Aaron Terr, ” Terr, there’s, Michael Gerhardt, Chapel Hill, —, X, Charles Breyer, Imran Ahmed, “ Elon Musk, “, ” Ahmed, Ahmed, Jim Jordan, Travis Brown, Brown, Aaron Greenspan, PlainSite, Greenspan, Jack Sweeney, Sweeney, Taylor Swift, he’s, “ Trump Organizations: State Department, Center, American Civil Liberties Union, New York Law School, “, SpaceX, Justice Department, Foundation, Rights, Hate, Media, NBC News, NBC, Media Matters, University of North, Chapel, Department, The Justice, District, ACLU, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Columbia University, Constitution, Racket, Twitter, Federal Government, World Federation, Internet, Wired, Washington Post Locations: University of North Carolina, U.S, Ohio, Texas, San Francisco

☆ Israeli minister draws criticism for saying Trump's win is an opportunity to annex parts of West Bank
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Freddie Clayton | Freddie Clayton Is A Freelance Journalist Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A call from Israel’s ultranationalist finance minister to use Donald Trump’s election win as an opportunity to annex parts of the occupied West Bank has drawn international condemnation and fueled fears about the U.S. ally’s plans. Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that “the time has come” to extend Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the area — land recognized by the international community as belonging to Palestinians in their quest for a future state. The Israeli minister welcomed the president-elect’s victory and said that he would seek Trump's support for the move. Discussions on plans to annex parts of the West Bank were held between Israel and Washington during Trump’s first term, and Smotrich said that he would push his government to engage with the incoming administration to gain support. Smotrich added that he would seek international recognition for sovereignty over the West Bank, but his announcement quickly drew global condemnation.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Bezalel Smotrich, “, God’s, Trump, ”, Trump’s, Smotrich, Biden, Steffen Seibert Organizations: West Bank, State Department, Israel Locations: Israel, Judea, Samaria, Washington, United States

Three U.S. airlines have suspended flights to Haiti after a Spirit Airlines jet was struck by gunfire. Some see Rubio as one of the “less MAGA” options but is still someone “Trump’s base could trust,” a Trump ally said. Trump’s first Cabinet pick was Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, to serve as ambassador to the United Nations. Hours later Trump announced his second Cabinet selection, former Rep. Lee Zeldin, to oversee the Environmental Protection Agency. The State Department is advising against travel to Haiti in the midst of violent political turmoil.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Patrick T, Fallon, Donald Trump’s, Sen, Marco Rubio, Rubio, ”, Trump’s, Elise Stefanik, Lee Zeldin, Zeldin, Joe Biden’s, Stephen Miller, Miller, Mike Waltz, Ruben Gallego, Republican Kari Lake, ➡️ Trump, Christopher Wray, ➡️, —, MAGA, “, Kayla Smith, Jillaine St.Michel, Rebecca Vincen, Brown, Julie Lyons, Emily Corrigan, Jennifer Adkins, Richard Allen, Crews, Aaron Rodgers, Peter Guo, Calpak, Elizabeth Robinson Organizations: Spirit Airlines, Getty, United Nations, The, Republican Conference, Trump, Environmental Protection Agency, Trump’s Cabinet, Green Beret, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, Democratic, Republican, Senate, State Department, JetBlue, New York City, American Airlines, The State Department, Women, Center for Reproductive, East, New York Jets, Riding Army, NBC, Walmart, Casper Locations: U.S, Haiti, AFP, Marco Rubio of Florida, New York, Israel, Gaza, Florida, Afghanistan, East, Africa, He’s, Arizona, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Port, Prince, Dominican Republic, Miami, Idaho, Portland , Oregon, Ada County, Indiana, Delphi, West, New Jersey, California, China, Kaifeng, Asia

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida for secretary of state in his administration in the coming days, according to three sources familiar with the selection process. Foreign policy is one of the few areas in which there is a deep philosophical disagreement among Trump's base. But there remains a different strain of foreign policy thinking among even prominent Trump supporters. Even though Rubio is an avowed Trump supporter, the perception is that he was one of the "less MAGA" options, a Trump ally told NBC News. Trump had considered Rubio as a running mate before he ultimately chose Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio.

Persons: Donald Trump, Sen, Marco Rubio, Trump, wouldn't, Rubio, ”, Marco, he’s, “ He’s, “, Ric Grenell, Trump’s, Grenell, JD Vance, Ron DeSantis, Lee Zeldin, Mike Waltz, Susie Wiles, Tom Homan Organizations: New York Times, Trump, NBC News, Foreign Relations, State, State Department, Florida Gov, White Locations: Marco Rubio of Florida, China, Ukraine, Germany, R, Ohio, Florida

☆ Jim Cramer explains why the promise of tax cuts could have sent stocks lower on Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Julie Coleman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CNBC's Jim Cramer examined Tuesday's market action, saying the rally fueled by the victory of President-elect Donald Trump took a breather as Wall Street weighs what broad tax cuts could mean for the bond market. Cramer called the day's moves a "sobering reaction to the potential unfunded tax cuts from the bond market," as both the 10-year and 2-year Treasury yields surged more than 4%. The bond market and the stock market usually have a negative correlation, with investors coming in and out of each depending on yields. Trump campaigned on the promise of tax cuts across a wide swath of sectors. Many on Wall Street expect these cuts will come in aggregate, but remain unsure of the specifics, Cramer noted.

Persons: CNBC's Jim Cramer, Donald Trump, Cramer, Trump, Elon Musk Organizations: Dow Jones, Nasdaq Locations: U.S

☆ OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman returns after three months of leave
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Hayden Field | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Greg Brockman speaks onstage at "OpenAI Co-founder on ChatGPT, DALL·E, and the Impact of Generative AI" during 2023 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 10, 2023 in Austin, Texas. OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman has returned to the company as president, three months after announcing he would take a sabbatical "through end of year." In late September, OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati announced she would depart the company after six and a half years. The same day, research chief Bob McGrew and Barret Zoph, a research vice president, said they were leaving. OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever and former safety leader Jan Leike announced their departures in May, with Leike joining rival Anthropic.

Persons: Greg Brockman, OpenAI, Mira Murati, Bob McGrew, Barret Zoph, Ilya Sutskever, Jan Leike, Anthropic ., John Schulman, Lilian Weng, Brockman, Sam Altman, Altman, Altman's Organizations: Austin Convention Center, OpenAI, Leike, Anthropic, Google Locations: Austin , Texas

☆ In Trump’s second term, czars will reign
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN reported on Friday that Burgum was under consideration for a role as energy czar. “It’s sort of the conservative version of [the Biden administration’s senior climate advisor] John Podesta,” one of the sources said. Burgum had been in contention for a Cabinet-level position, like running the department of Interior or Energy, CNN previously reported. It also means those candidates – not burdened by a lengthy Senate confirmation process – can launch their work on day one. Alex Wong/Getty ImagesThe term “czar” has come to refer to a political appointee with a specific problem to solve.

Persons: –, Doug Burgum, Donald Trump’s, Burgum, John Podesta, ”, ’ ”, Alex Wong, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, czars, Trump, Trump’s, Elise Stefanik, Stephen Miller, Tom Homan, Homan, ’, ” Trump, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, you’re Organizations: CNN, Trump, North, Biden, Interior, Energy, North Dakota Gov, Republican National Convention, State, Treasury, Republican, United Nations, White, Customs, Department of Homeland Security, Former ICE, Border Control, Trump Administration, Aviation Security, Truth, “ Locations: North Dakota, Milwaukee , Wisconsin, Guantanamo, Trump

☆ One week later – A look at the Trump trades gaining momentum and those that are fading
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Pia Singh | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The S & P 500 last week scored its best week since November 2023, hitting the 6,000 mark, while the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed above 44,000. Stocks seen as early beneficiaries, among them steelmakers and banks, are losing momentum, while others like Tesla are continuing to climb. Its shares are nearly flat week so far this week. Take a look at the lot: Tesla 's the most popular winner in the group, gaining roughly 21% since Nov. 6, boosted by CEO Elon Musk's close relationship with Trump. Other than Tesla, energy stocks Coterra Energy and Baker Hughes are also moving higher, the latter gaining more than 15% just this month.

Persons: Trump, Donald Trump, Stocks, Tesla, Morgan Stanley, Betsy Graseck, Elon Musk's, Edison Yu, JD Vance, Baker Hughes, Goldman, Citigroup — Organizations: weill, Dow Jones, CNBC Pro, Trump, Caterpillar, Steelmakers Steel Dynamics, JPMorgan, Citizens Financial, Prudential, Republican, Bank of America . Semiconductor, Micron Technology, Arista Networks, Deutsche Bank, Coterra Energy, Bank of America, Citigroup Locations: Wells Fargo

☆ How the Trump administration will add large benefits to Tesla, justifying postelection run, per Deutsche Bank
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Deutsche Bank anticipates more tailwinds ahead for Tesla under the incoming Trump administration. TSLA YTD mountain Shares this year Musk is already making strides in his alliance with Trump. ), we see potential large terminal value benefits to Tesla's efforts in auto, robotaxi, and even humanoid robotics," wrote Yu. Yu views China as the biggest potential uncertainty for Tesla as the Trump administration touts tariffs on goods from the world's second-largest economy. A repeal of the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act could also benefit shares of Tesla and give it an edge over legacy automakers General Motors and Ford.

Persons: Trump, Elon's Musk, Donald Trump, bode, Edison Yu, JD Vance, Yu, Tesla Organizations: Deutsche Bank, Tesla, Trump . Deutsche Bank, Trump, White House, Biden, General Motors, Ford Locations: China

☆ How Trump could exploit a looming global struggle for rare-earth minerals
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The power grab over rare-earth minerals in Central Asia could be among the issues he will seek to exploit. AdvertisementA power struggle over rare-earth mineralsAt stake for the US in Central Asia is not just political power but access to the region's reserves of rare-earth minerals such as uranium, lithium, and tantalum. Rare-earth minerals are needed to make all sorts of products, from F-35 stealth fighters and smartphones to internet fiber-optic cables and MRI machines. It produces around 60% of the world's rare-earth minerals and processes nearly 90%, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "There are rare-earth minerals worth exploring/exploiting, and if the US/EU could strike a major deal with [Kazakhstan's capital] Astana, this would certainly contribute to breaking China's monopoly," said Wolff.

Persons: Donald Trump, —, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Xi, Putin, he'd, Wilder Alejandro Sánchez, ALEXANDER RYUMIN, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, John Herbst, Stefan Wolff, Wolff, Herbst, Trump Organizations: Service, Putin, The Republican, Biden, Getty Images, Center for Strategic, International Studies, University of Birmingham, BI, Trump, EU, Astana, Central Asia Summit, Getty Images Central, Central, China Locations: Russia, China, Central Asia, Mongolia, Saudi, Getty Images China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Xian, Shaanxi, FLORENCE, Ukraine, Soviet Union, Washington, Moscow, Beijing

☆ Ukraine hoped to force Russia to pick between 2 fronts. Putin chose both.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine's big move this year was to invade Russia's Kursk region, hoping to divert Russia's main invasion. While it took ground in Kursk, Russia was also able to keep up its advance into eastern Ukraine. Russia is now amassing troops in Kursk, hoping to retake it without having compromised its main invasion. AdvertisementWhen Ukraine began its audacious incursion into Russia's Kursk region in August, it hoped to force a choice. That force amassed even as Russia kept up a steady advance on the main front line in eastern Ukraine.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Putin, Andrii Kovalenko Organizations: Service, The New York Times, Moscow Times, Ukraine's Center, North Korean Locations: Russia's Kursk, Kursk, Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Ukrainian, Ukraine's, The

☆ Infowars attracts ‘seven-figure’ auction bids that will decide fate of Alex Jones’ empire
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —On Wednesday morning, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ notorious Infowars media empire will go up for auction in a court-mandated sale, and at least one bid is in the “seven-figure” range, a person familiar with the matter told CNN. Jones was found guilty of defamation by juries in Texas and Connecticut for using his Infowars megaphone to falsely claim the massacre was a hoax. But if “bad guys” buy Infowars, as Jones put it Monday, he’ll “keep broadcasting until they show up” after the Wednesday auction and shut down the fringe outlet. The Onion CEO Ben Collins was previously a journalist at NBC where he extensively covered disinformation and conspiracy theorists, including Jones and Infowars. The Barbed Wire, a progressive Texas-based outlet, said it had planned to bid in the Infowars auction but ultimately decided against it.

Persons: Alex Jones ’, ”, Jones, Sandy, “, ” Jones, Infowars, Roger Stone, Donald Trump, Stone, he’ll, AJNLive, they’re, imploring, Sandy Hook, Ben Collins, Collins, Christopher Mattei Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Elementary, AP, NBC, Elon, ” Representatives, Media Locations: New York, Texas, Connecticut, Infowars

They’ve pressed forward even though a majority of Americans still see the Capitol rioters as responsible for an attack against democracy, according to the most recent polling. The most pressing concerns are for convicted rioters required to report to prison before Trump’s inauguration in January, and for rioters with sentencing hearings coming up, according to a source familiar with the discussions. “They’re thrilled with the election, but there’s a lot of uncertainty from their perspective,” the source told CNN. For convicted rioters already serving prison sentences, there’s even less hope to get them out based on Trump’s campaign rhetoric, the source said. She later told CNN that her strategy guide has already been sent to Trump and the Republican National Committee.

Persons: Trump, Micki Witthoeft, Ashli Babbitt, Donald Trump, They’ve, MAGA, “ We’re, hasn’t, ”, John Pierce, “, “ He’s, Jeffrey Crouch, insurrectionists, ‘, ” Zachary Alam, Joseph McBride, ” McBride, Savannah Huntington, Rachel Powell, Powell, she’s, “ They’re, they’re, Suzzanne Monk, Monk, ” Monk, Charlie Kirk, Glenn Beck, Kirk, It’s, can’t, Crouch, Jimmy Carter, Joe Biden, ” Crouch, Trump’s, Clinton, Bush, Tom Cotton, Markwayne Mullin, ” Marcus Childress, don’t, it’s, Aquilino Gonell, Biden, Kamala Harris, Harry Dunn, Sean R, Clark, Emily R, Condon Organizations: Washington CNN, Air Force, Capitol, GOP, “, Trump, American University, CNN, Trump –, DC, Defense, Justice Department, American Patriot Relief, American, J6, Republican National Committee, Glenn Beck Program, FBI, Trump Republicans, Former US Capitol Police, US Capitol Police Locations: Savannah, West Virginia, DC, pardoning, Vietnam

Elon Musk spent $44 billion to buy Twitter, now known as X, and at least $130 million to help get Donald Trump elected president. Since Trump’s victory last week, Musk is about $70 billion richer on paper. For Musk, getting Trump back into the White House became another full-time job. After the election last week, Musk briefly joined Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NBC News reported. Musk owns 411.06 million Tesla shares, as of the latest filings, and about 304 million performance-based options.

Persons: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, It’s, That’s, Larry Ellison, Ellison, Musk’s, who’s, Trump, Musk, Kamala Harris, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he’s, Brendan Carr, Florida Republican Sen, Rick Scott, ” Musk, “ He’s, ”, Gene Munster, Tesla, Munster, ” Munster, Judge Kathaleen McCormick, McCormick, Ellison aren’t, Brian Armstrong, Cryptocurrencies Organizations: Twitter, Tesla, Forbes, Oracle, White, America PAC, Trump, NBC News, The New York Times, ABC, Trump’s, Federal Communications Commission, Florida Republican, SpaceX, Co, CNBC, Elon, Shareholders Locations: Pennsylvania, Lago, Florida, Delaware

The three-way fight to replace outgoing Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pits Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., against Sen. John Cornyn, a former McConnell deputy, and underdog candidate Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. “It’s a loud online presence that doesn’t ultimately add up to votes in the Senate,” said one Senate Republican aide, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the race’s dynamics. He supported me in 2022 in my run against Mitch McConnell,” Scott said. “The Senate Republicans — particularly Senate Republican leadership — must understand that the American people put President Trump back in the White House with his America First agenda. And any Republican leader candidate who does not agree with that should get the hell out of the way," he said.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Donald Trump's “ MAGA ”, Mitch McConnell, John Thune, Sen, John Cornyn, Rick Scott, “, Trump, ” Scott, MAGA, —, Scott —, Tucker Carlson, Scott, Donald Trump ”, Billionaire Trump, Elon Musk, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, leapfrog, ”, hasn’t, coy, McConnell, Mike Davis, Davis, Republicans —, Mike Johnson, Ron Johnson, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Bill Hagerty, Tommy Tuberville, Rubio, Hagerty, “ I’ve, ” Thune, we’ve, Chuck Schumer, ” Cornyn Organizations: Republican, McConnell, Republicans, Trump, GOP, NBC News, ”, NBC, Senate, America, Republican Party, Fox News, Senate Republican Conference, Democrats Locations: Ky, Florida, Sens

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped House Republican Conference chair and longtime ally Rep. Elise Stefanik, of New York, to serve as ambassador to the United Nations, a Trump transition official confirmed to NBC News on Monday. “I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., in Washington in January. Any appointments by Trump that lead to vacancies in the House could prove problematic for House Republicans.

Persons: Donald Trump, Elise Stefanik, Stefanik, “, Elise, ” Trump, Tom Williams, Liz Cheney, Trump Organizations: Republican Conference, United Nations, Trump, NBC News, America, Getty, CNN, United Nations Relief, Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, House Republican Conference, New, Congressional, House Republicans, NBC Locations: New York, Washington, Israel, Vermont, Canada

SEOUL, South Korea — As foreign governments prepare to deal with a second Trump administration, at least one key U.S. ally is hoping to make headway on the fairway. Last month, the U.S. and South Korea agreed on a new five-year cost-sharing plan for the U.S. troops. Maintaining a strong security alliance with the U.S. is especially important for South Korea given the growing hostility from nuclear-armed North Korea. That in turn could lead South Korea and even Japan to consider whether they need nuclear weapons of their own. Stella Kim reported from Seoul, South Korea, and Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong.

Persons: Trump, Yoon Suk, “, Donald Trump, Yoon, ”, Shinzo Abe, David Boling, Chung Sung, Abe, Abe “, Boling, ” Yoon —, ” Jeremy Chan, “ I’ve, Yoon doesn’t, he’s, ” Chan, Lydia Ko, Ko, Shigeru Ishiba, ” Boling, Chan, Choi Sang, mok, Joe Biden, Brendan Smialowski, Kim Jong, Stella Kim, Jennifer Jett Organizations: NBC, South, Eurasia Group, Trump, House, Paris Olympics, Japanese, U.S, South Korean Finance, Seoul, Getty Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, U.S, Florida , New Jersey, Virginia, North Korea, Japan, New York, Seoul, United States, East Asia, China, Northeast Asia, New Zealand, Scotland, Korea, Chiba, AFP, Hong Kong

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