 |
|
|
|||||
When Donald Trump announced that Elon Musk would be joining the government as an adviser and head of the quasi-governmental Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), there was skepticism about how long the relationship between the two would last. Experts predicted that the SpaceX founder wouldnt like playing second fiddle to the former Apprentice star. As Trump himself put it in his 1987 business-advice book The Art of the Deal, One of the problems when you become successful is that jealousy and envy inevitably follow. But its not success that appears to have driven the most serious wedge between the two businessmen. Its failure, and the catastrophic fallout from Trumps implementation of tariffs that has triggered a global trade wara decision that Trump has hit pause on, temporarily forestalling for 90 days reciprocal tariffs on all countries except China. Its a trade war that Musk never wanted. The Washington Post reports that Musk lobbied Trump directly, though unsuccessfully, to not levy tariffs. And as those tariffs decimated U.S. stock markets, in a series of gobsmacking posts on X this week Musk has dubbed White House trade tsar Peter Navarro Peter Retarrdo, a moron, and dumber than a sack of bricks. While the name-calling has been limited to Navarro, the criticism is fundamentally pointed at Trumps most signature policy to date. Musks brother, Kimbal, has quote tweeted Trump while adding negative comments about his tariff decisions. Mmm.. Celebrating causing China’s stock market to go down, by causing our own stock market to go down? Maybe this is why Trump brought back the R word. Its not clear whether he is referring to the risk of a recession, or echoing his brothers comments about Navarro when referring to the president. Karoline Leavitt, Trumps press secretary, said on April 8 about the Navarro-Musk spat: These are obviously two individuals who have very different views on trade and tariffs. Boys will be boys and we will let their public sparring continue. A clash of titanic egos Not everyone is convinced thats all there is to it. It could be the first major public blowup between two titanic egos who were always going to struggle to coexist. That Musk and Trump would clash on the issue isnt surprising. China was a healthy market for Musks electric vehicle company, Tesla, and Trumps 125% tariffs on goods from China will likely harm that business relationship. Musk has a big financial relationship with China, which is not happy with tariffs, says Steven Hassan, author of The Cult of Trump. Navarros expertise is more rooted in academia and therefore takes a different approach to Musks, explains Steven Buckley, a lecturer in digital media sociology at City, University of London, who specializes in U.S. politics. Fundamentally I dont believe anyone in Trumps Cabinet actually has a good understanding of the impact of tariffs and how the wider global economy works. However, Musk actually experiences the direct impact of them on his businesses, and so regardless of whatever good trade policy would be, he knows that this isnt itfor him at least. Trump, for his part, is not exactly jumping to tariff architect Navarros defense. Despite Trumps press secretary saying this spat is just boys being boys, its clear that Trump is fine to let these spats occur out in the open as they serve as a convenient distraction from any disagreement those in the administration may have with [him], Buckley adds. Its notable that Musk has held his tongue publicly about Trump, instead attacking individuals linked to the plan lower down the White House pecking order, while outriders like his brother criticize the presidents tariffs. Attacks on Navarro can also be excused away by Trump as not targeting him or his decision-makingimportant, given the president can be stuck in his ways and refuses to back down on his decisions, even when presented with evidence that hes wrong, as shown by a vignette in Bob Woodwards recent book about first-term economic adviser Gary Cohn telling Trump Americans dont want to do manual labor. Navarro acts as a useful scapegoat so that when the damage these tariffs cause starts being felt by consumers Trump can blame him for his advice, Buckley says. In the end, the tempestuous tweets were to be expected. Both Trump and Musk (who, in attacking Navarro, has attacked Trump and his policy by proxy) have built their reputations being abrasive and shooting from the hip on social media. The White House has sought to downplay the spat, releasing a statement about the brouhaha, saying: Whatever. We are the most transparent administration in history, expressing our disagreements in public. Says Buckley: Its clear that Trump and those in his administration are immune to embarrassment and so these ugly public arguments only serve as a media story about political personalities at war with one another.
Category:
E-Commerce
Basketball great LeBron James has become the first professional male athlete to have his likeness depicted in a Ken doll. Mattel Inc. unveiled the LeBron Ken doll on Wednesday to kick off the toy manufacturer’s Kenbassador series. Last year, nine female athlete Barbies, including tennis star Venus Williams, were introduced. As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me whats possible through hard work and dedication,” James said. “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. Thats why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll is such an honor. Its an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness. The LeBron doll wears sunglasses, headphones and a blue-and-white letterman’s jacket with LJ on the left breast, his number 23 on the right sleeve and Ohio and crown patches on the other. His first name is on the back with Just a kid from Akron underneath. His T-shirt says We Are Family, a nod to the LeBron James Family Foundation. His blue shoes, of course, are Nikes. The doll costs $75 and goes on sale Monday. In an Associated Press-produced video of James seeing the doll for the first time, the King expressed his approval, repeatedly calling the doll “dope, another word for cool. While looking it over, he put an I Promise wristband on the doll’s wrist and adjusted the strap on its fanny pack. OK, now we ready, James said. I mean, he might need to do a little lifting. Legs look a little skinny. Little fraily little fellow. Nah, that’s dope. Mattel senior vice president Krista Berger noted that Ken is Barbie’s longtime best friend and supporter. We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture, and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential, Berger said.
Category:
E-Commerce
U.S. pediatricians and infectious disease experts say the fight against rising measles cases nationwide is being hampered by a lack of forceful advocacy for vaccination from government health officials and statements on unproven treatments that are confusing parents. Since January, 505 people have been infected in Texas and more than 90 total in neighboring New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. Two children have died in Texas, including an 8-year-old girl last week, and an adult death in New Mexico is under investigation. The United States has more than 600 known cases and outbreaks in six states, according to HHS. Dr. Sue Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said leaders need to speak with a consistent science- and fact-based message about measles vaccination, calling that the only way to handle an outbreak like this. “That is the number one message we’re trying to put in front of everyone.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a long history of advocating against vaccines, has backed vaccination as the best way to prevent measles from spreading since becoming the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But unlike previous health secretaries faced with containing outbreaks, his comments are not unequivocal. He has also made misleading claims about nutrition, vitamin A and other treatments, while exaggerating vaccine risks, even as U.S. vaccination rates are falling. “Our work is becoming harder by the minute,” said Dr. Rana Alissa, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Florida chapter, a state where kindergarten vaccination rates last school year were 81%, far below the 95% needed to establish community protection. An HHS spokesman in a statement disputed that there was a lack of strong federal messaging, saying Kennedy has repeatedly reinforced the important role of vaccines. The spokesman said HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been monitoring the situation and are collaborating with state and local health authorities, including by providing resources. “Secretary Kennedy remains committed to ensuring Americans have accurate information on all available treatment options,” the statement said. In an interview on CBS News on Wednesday, Kennedy repeated that it was his and the government’s position that people should get the measles vaccine. On Sunday, however, he followed a post on X championing the vaccine with another praising alternative treatments, drawing fresh criticism from disease experts. The CDC, the nation’s lead agency on infectious disease outbreaks which reports to Kennedy, has made just two official public statements and provided a weekly tally of cases on its website. HHS said the CDC has issued statements and updates as needed. Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said the CDC needs to conduct frequent press conferences and issue multiple press releases urging Americans to vaccinate their children. In 2019, when a New York measles outbreak recorded 1,274 cases, CDC officials did just that and New York City made the vaccine mandatory, issuing summonses to families who failed to comply. That year, Health Secretary Alex Azar forcefully endorsed the measles vaccine, calling it “among the most-studied medical products we have”, and launched a national immunization campaign. Doctors are looking to fill in the communication void. AAP has produced new website content, several press releases, 20 social media posts and launched a misinformation-fighting initiative, aimed at clarifying the safety of vaccines and the role of Vitamin A, which Kennedy has touted. There is no treatment for the highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease beyond those to address symptoms and complications, AAP’s Kressly said. Vitamin A is only recommended when administered by a doctor in specific quantities as too much can cause liver damage. Some pediatricians in Texas have reported cases of liver toxicity among children, Kressly said. In his Sunday X post, Kennedy promoted the inhaled steroid budesonide, which is used to treat asthma, and the antibiotic clarithromycin. Antibiotics cannot treat a viral infection and using an inhaled steroid to treat measles-related inflammation is risky because it suppresses the immune system, which could make the infection “significantly worse,” said Dr. Tina Tan, a professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Northwestern University and president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “Massive epidemic” The Texas outbreak likely involves thousands of cases as official case counts only tally laboratory-confirmed cases, Offit said. “This is a massive measles epidemic.” Measles typically causes one-to-three deaths per 1,000 cases. Three deaths linked with the Texas outbreak suggest there could be as many as 1,000 to 3,000 cases, epidemiologist Dr. Katelyn Jetelina wrote in her Substack blog on Monday. Rising vaccine skepticism and misinformation have resulted in only 11 U.S. states with vaccination rates of 95% or above – the level needed to protect residents unable to receive the vaccine. The measles vaccine is 97% effective after two doses and 93% after one. Dr. Michael Donnelly, who crafts messaging for pediatricians across Medstar Health’s 10 hospitals in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas, said Kennedy’s comments set this year apart from the concerns raised by parents in prior years. On one side, you have people panicking when they don’t need to. And then on the other side, you have people who are pretty blase.” Dr. Alisa Kachikis, who cares for women with high-risk pregnancies at UW Medicine in Seattle, noted that measles can cause miscarriage and birth defects. She recommends pregnant women who are unvaccinated get the shot right after delivery to protect their baby. The vaccine can’t be given to children younger than six months and is usually not given until a child reaches 12 months. Dr. Theresa Horton, a pediatrician in Owasso, Oklahoma, said she used to tell parents if they didn’t vaccinate their children, they were relying on others who were vaccinated to protect them. With vaccination rates among Oklahoma kindergartners hovering around 88%, she now tells them: “We no longer have herd immunity.” Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||