Elon Musk News Live: Elon Musk says he will cut back on political spending after heavily backing Trump in 2024

Elon Musk, who currently serves as a senior advisor to United States President Donald Trump and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has announced he will reduce his political spending, AP says in a report. This decision follows his past action of heavily backing Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Johnathan Buma, a former FBI counterintelligence agent who identifies as a whistleblower, has claimed in a new interview that he tried to alert Elon Musk in 2022 about an "intense" covert Russian operation designed to infiltrate the billionaire's close associates, potentially to access sensitive information, as per a report in Guardian. Buma, who was arrested in March 2024 on a misdemeanor charge of disclosing confidential information and is currently out on bail, stated he failed in his efforts to personally brief Musk and "inoculate" him against "outreach from the Kremlin."

The Tesla Model 3 has recently earned a perfect 5-star safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), Teslarati said in a report. This achievement reflects Tesla's ongoing dedication to manufacturing highly safe vehicles, a key focus for the company led by CEO Elon Musk (current role as of May 23, 2025), and is expected to bolster Tesla's brand reputation and consumer confidence. The rating is based on rigorous Euro NCAP testing standards, which assess performance in various crash scenarios and the effectiveness of safety assist technologies, potentially giving the Model 3 a competitive market advantage. This notable safety recognition for the Model 3 follows previous high safety ratings awarded to other Tesla models in past assessments.

SpaceX, with Elon Musk as its current CEO, has been granted authorization by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the ninth test flight of its Starship vehicle, Teslarati says in a report. This regulatory green light, issued within the past seven days as of May 23, 2025, enables the company to proceed with its iterative testing program for Starship. While the specific objectives for this ninth flight are not yet publicly detailed, it will leverage data from previous test flights—past events with varied outcomes—to further refine the fully reusable transportation system designed for missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars.

The U.S. Institute of Peace retook its headquarters on Wednesday, two days after a court declared the firing of its board and employees by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) illegal, according to a report in AP. George Moose, the institute's acting president, re-entered the premises with security and legal counsel. This marked the first time they accessed the headquarters since being escorted off in March during the DOGE takeover. That past event was part of what the article describes as a mass slashing of federal entities by DOGE, which is de facto headed by Elon Musk, who also serves as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, to proceed with the ninth test flight of its Starship rocket system, following incidents of explosions during previous test attempts earlier in 2025, according to a report in TechCrunch. This clearance, announced on Thursday, May 22, 2025, includes the FAA's decision to enlarge "hazard areas both in the U.S. and other countries" for the upcoming mission. The expansion of these safety zones is based on an updated safety analysis submitted by SpaceX, enabling the company to continue its crucial development and testing program for Starship.

Tesla's stock experienced gains after Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla, CEO of SpaceX, and CTO of X, stated his intention to 'do a lot less' political spending, MarketWatch said in a report. This recent announcement is perceived by some investors as a positive development, potentially mitigating concerns about the impact of Musk's political activities on Tesla's brand, which has historically been associated with environmentalism, a contrast to Musk's more recent conservative public persona. In past events, Musk's political contributions have included donations to both Republican and Democratic candidates. While a reduction in his direct political spending might lessen his direct influence on political campaigns, his substantial influence through X (formerly Twitter) remains. The report also highlighted that the exact scope of 'political spending' Musk intends to curtail was not specified, and a definitive causal link between his announcement and the stock's rise, excluding other market factors, is difficult to establish.

A recent report highlights that Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and is the owner of X, along with his family, are among the beneficiaries of an extensive deal-making spree by Gulf states, National Review said in a report. This information, potentially drawing from or related to findings by The New York Times as suggested by the National Review article's title, underscores ongoing financial relationships between Musk's enterprises and sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf region. These connections include historical investments, such as Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's 2018 stake in Tesla (a past event) and the Qatar Investment Authority's role in funding Musk's acquisition of X (formerly Twitter), also a past event. The reported benefits raise concerns regarding Musk's reputation, the potential for influence on X's platform policies, and broader scrutiny of US-Gulf financial ties.

Former President Donald Trump has reportedly been urged to compel Elon Musk, currently CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, and individuals referred to as 'DOGE workers'—likely those involved with Dogecoin cryptocurrency projects potentially within Musk's companies—to formally certify they will not misuse government data for personal gain, National Review said in a report. This development highlights concerns about potential conflicts of interest and data security, particularly as Musk's companies, including SpaceX, hold significant U.S. government contracts that involve access to sensitive information. The specific party who made the urging and a precise definition of 'DOGE workers' were noted as points needing clarification in the provided context.

An internal 'DOGE team' associated with Elon Musk will be looking into the operations of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as per a report in National Review. Elon Musk currently serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. This development is set against a backdrop of past events where Musk has had disagreements with government regulatory bodies, including the NTSB, often citing concerns about overreach. The NTSB is an independent U.S. government agency responsible for investigating civil transportation accidents. The 'DOGE team' is understood to be a technical investigation unit from one of Musk's companies, though specific public details about the team's qualifications or the exact scope of their review of NTSB operations are limited. Potential implications of this review include increased scrutiny for the NTSB and an opportunity for Musk's companies to potentially influence safety standards in the transportation sector.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently expressed strong approval for the company's Optimus humanoid robot, following a demonstration within the past week that highlighted its capability to learn from human actions, according to a report in Quartz. This showcase featured the robot, which is still in a prototype phase, acquiring new skills by observing people, underscoring Tesla's progress in neural network-based robotic learning. While Optimus is not yet fully autonomous or commercially available, these developments signify steps towards its potential use in various tasks.

Elon Musk has warned that the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence may encounter substantial constraints due to insufficient electricity generation capacity by mid-2025, National Review said in a report. This prediction, clarified by the article to refer to mid-2025, is based on his observations of current trends in AI development and its massive energy consumption, particularly for training large language models and powering the expanding network of data centers. The anticipated power crunch highlights concerns about straining existing power grids and the potential impact on AI development, prompting discussions around investment in alternative energy sources and energy-efficient technologies.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla, has recently affirmed his dedication to leading the electric vehicle manufacturer and indicated an intention to lessen his public political involvement, National Review said in a report. These recent announcements are significant given past events, such as shareholder lawsuits filed in early 2024 alleging his focus on other ventures like X (formerly Twitter) negatively impacted Tesla, and concerns from the same period about his political statements affecting the company's brand. While Musk commits to the CEO role, the degree of his direct day-to-day management and the exact nature of his 'political pullback' remain to be fully detailed.

Elon Musk announced that Tesla and xAI plan to keep purchasing semiconductor chips from Nvidia and AMD, National Review said in a report. This decision highlights the substantial computational power required for Tesla's autonomous driving projects and AI features, as well as for xAI's development of artificial intelligence models such as Grok. The continued procurement signals an ongoing reliance on these external suppliers, even as Tesla develops its own Dojo supercomputer, and reflects the sustained high demand benefiting chipmakers Nvidia and AMD in the competitive AI market.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and founder of xAI, recently articulated his views on artificial intelligence, innovation, and the role of government at the Qatar Economic Forum (QEF), according to a report in National Review. His remarks at the forum likely covered the trajectory of AI development, the balance between fostering technological advancement and implementing necessary regulations, issues pertinent to his ventures such as xAI and Tesla's ongoing autonomous driving efforts. Musk's participation is significant given his past public statements on AI safety, where he has emphasized concerns about existential risks from superintelligence, and his complex perspective on government intervention, having previously called for proactive oversight in the AI domain.

Elon Musk has recently spoken out against what he described as "massive violence" directed at Tesla, specifically in relation to a past arson attack on the company's Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, as per a report in National Review. Musk also asserted, "I've not harmed anyone," a statement understood to be a direct response to the justifications reportedly offered by the 'Volcano Group,' which (disputedly) claimed responsibility for the May 2024 arson, citing Tesla's environmental impact. That past incident caused significant damage and temporarily halted production at the German facility before it resumed.

Elon Musk has stated his intention to spend 'a lot less' on politics, according to a report in National Review, which cited the Financial Times for the announcement. This potential shift comes after a period of past active political engagement by Musk, including endorsements and financial contributions, often aligning with Republican or libertarian views. The report noted a lack of specific details regarding what Musk defines as 'politics' or the precise magnitude of the intended reduction. This development could influence fundraising for political campaigns he previously backed and may be interpreted as an effort to manage the image of his social media platform, X, although his influential presence on the platform is likely to continue.

Elon Musk is attending a recent White House meeting between President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, as per a report in National Review. The primary discussions are expected to focus on bilateral relations and trade between the U.S. and South Africa. Musk's participation is understood to be likely in an advisory capacity or related to technology and investment, topics pertinent to his enterprises like Tesla and SpaceX. This meeting, occurring within the past seven days from May 23, 2025, is notable given Musk's history of engagement with U.S. administrations and the relevance of government relations for his companies.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently announced that the company is witnessing a "major rebound" in sales, according to a report in National Review. This assertion follows past events in early 2024 where Tesla's first-quarter vehicle deliveries missed expectations and the company implemented price cuts to stimulate demand amid increasing competition. The report did not provide specifics on the magnitude or geographic scope of this claimed rebound. If confirmed, this sales recovery could positively affect Tesla's stock, bolster investor confidence, and intensify competition within the electric vehicle market.

Elon Musk, current CEO of Tesla, has affirmed the company's intention to launch robotaxi services in Austin, Texas, this June, National Review said in a report. This initiative is significantly reliant on the ongoing development and regulatory green light for Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology; its FSD software has been in iterative beta testing (verified April 2024) and previous versions have faced scrutiny. The plan also confronts existing regulatory challenges for autonomous vehicles, even as Austin has generally been more receptive to such testing, and enters a market where companies like Waymo and Cruise have been testing and deploying services for several years (verified April 2024).

Elon Musk met for a second time at the Pentagon with Pete Hegseth, whom the article identified as US Defense Secretary, National Review said in a report. As of May 2025, Lloyd Austin is the current US Secretary of Defense. This was reportedly their second meeting at this location.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla, has recently brushed off mounting fears about a potential demand problem for Tesla vehicles and refuted claims of declining sales, asserting that sales figures are 'fine, don’t worry about it', National Review said in a report. This statement comes amidst a backdrop of Tesla implementing global price cuts throughout 2023 and early 2024 (a past event) and Q1 2024 vehicle deliveries (a past event) falling short of analyst expectations, which fueled the narrative of a demand issue. The company also faces increased competition in the EV market.

Tesla has released its 'most impressive video demonstration yet' of the Optimus humanoid robot, which was reportedly able to complete all tasks through a single neural network, as per a report in Teslarati. This new showcase from the company, led by CEO Elon Musk (current role: CEO of Tesla), marks continued advancement from previous iterations, including the initial prototype from AI Day in 2022 (a past event) and the Gen 2 version from AI Day in 2023 (a past event). The robot's operation via a 'single neural network' points to Tesla's strategy of end-to-end learning, though this likely signifies a unified architecture rather than one monolithic network. The context provided also notes that the term 'impressive' for the demonstration is subjective.

Elon Musk recently engaged with Republican members of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, National Review said in a report. This meeting highlights Musk's interest in shaping energy and commerce policies, which are critical to his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX. Discussions likely touched upon areas such as renewable energy and electric vehicles, potentially influencing future legislation and regulatory frameworks relevant to his business interests.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla, has announced his commitment to lead the electric vehicle company for the next five years, National Review said in a report. This declaration is understood primarily as a statement of intent rather than a binding contract, and the specific scope of his leadership role during this period was not detailed in the announcement. The news arrives after past scrutiny concerning his 2018 compensation package (voided by a Delaware court in January 2024) and questions about his divided attention among his various enterprises, including SpaceX and xAI.

Elon Musk, Owner and CTO of X Corp., is encountering an expanding set of legal challenges related to the social media company X (formerly Twitter), according to a report in National Review. These problems reportedly encompass a range of issues including a rising number of lawsuits against X Corp. concerning alleged breach of contract with former employees and vendors, and unpaid bills. Furthermore, X Corp. continues to grapple with significant content moderation difficulties regarding hate speech and misinformation, leading to advertiser withdrawals and potential regulatory scrutiny over platform safety and data privacy. Musk's own public statements and actions concerning X have also, at times, reportedly contributed to these legal and regulatory challenges, which are increasing X Corp.'s operational costs and risking reputational damage.

Within the past seven days as of May 23, 2025, Elon Musk, in his capacity as CEO of SpaceX, publicly refuted claims that SpaceX is the leading contender for a $500 billion space-based missile-defense system known as 'Golden Dome', a project previously proposed by former President Donald Trump; Musk stated unequivocally, "This is not true", National Review said in a report. This recent denial addresses speculation about SpaceX's involvement in the conceptual defense initiative, clarifying the company's current position on the matter.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and is the owner of X, has addressed a Newsweek publication that characterized his recent trajectory as a "decline and fall," National Review said in a report. The National Review piece covers Musk's response to the Newsweek narrative, which suggests a significant downturn for the entrepreneur. The phrase "decline and fall" is generally understood as a subjective assessment, often based on various metrics of an individual's standing or influence.

Elon Musk, current CEO of Tesla who also leads X, SpaceX, and Neuralink, recently declared he intends to remain CEO of Tesla 'unless I die,' as per a report in National Review. This emphatic statement on his long-term commitment to the electric vehicle maker was made within the last seven days. It follows a period of scrutiny, including the invalidation (a past event in early 2024) of his 2018 Tesla compensation package by a Delaware court and ongoing discussions about his divided attention across his multiple ventures. Musk's pronouncement aims to reassure stakeholders about his continued leadership as Tesla pursues its strategic goals in electric vehicle production and autonomous technology, while his 'unless I die' comment also highlights the company's deep reliance on him and the recurring concerns about succession planning.

X Corp, owned by Elon Musk who also serves as CEO of xAI, has reportedly employed Meta's Llama 2 large language model for its 'government slashing' content moderation processes, instead of its proprietary Grok AI, Ars Technica said in a report. The article suggests Grok was not used because it was not considered a viable option, potentially due to issues with its capability, reliability, or readiness for such critical tasks. This development raises questions about the current maturity of Grok, despite its promotion, and highlights the practical application of Meta's open-source Llama 2 model in real-world scenarios, including those involving government compliance for content removal on the X platform (formerly Twitter).

Billionaire Elon Musk announced on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, that he will cease spending on political campaigns, a decision that follows the loss of a candidate he supported in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race approximately seven weeks prior, as per a report in AP. Musk, described as the world's richest person, indicated this shift coincides with him reducing his involvement in political matters, including those connected to the former Trump administration, and stated he will now focus more on his businesses. Democrats in Wisconsin reportedly interpret Musk's withdrawal as a sign that efforts to counter large outside political spending in the state have been effective.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has directly addressed individuals involved in what he termed violent protests against the company, warning them with the statement, 'We're coming for you,' National Review said in a report. This recent statement, made within the last seven days as of May 23, 2025, follows historical instances of protests against Tesla, such as those by environmental activists in the past (events verified May 2024) concerning the Gigafactory Berlin expansion, which previously led to increased security measures by the company. The specific actions Musk's warning entails were not detailed in the initial report.

Elon Musk, who is the CEO of Tesla, stated in interviews on a recent Tuesday that he anticipates hundreds of thousands of self-driving Tesla vehicles, purportedly requiring no human intervention, will be operational on U.S. roads by the end of next year (late 2026), AP said in a report. Musk also affirmed his commitment to continue serving as Tesla's CEO for at least another five years and expressed no regrets regarding his past involvement leading the Department of Government Efficiency during the former Trump administration, downplaying any potential negative impact on the Tesla brand from that period.

Elon Musk, current CEO of Tesla, has stated that the company is experiencing a "major rebound" after disappointing sales figures, according to a report in National Review. This assertion follows Tesla's Q1 2024 delivery numbers (a past event), which were notably below analyst expectations and attributed to production issues and increased market competition. The report, which cites InsideEVs, indicates Musk's claim is a forward-looking statement, and as of now, specific metrics or a timeline for this purported rebound have not been provided. The "disappointing sales" specifically refer to the Q1 2024 performance (a past event), which raised concerns about Tesla's growth trajectory.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding the size of hazard areas in both the United States and other countries for the next Starship launch by SpaceX, led by CEO Elon Musk, as per a report in Ars Technica. This recent directive aims to enhance public and aircraft safety, suggesting an increased predicted debris field in case of a launch failure. The expansion is expected to cause flight reroutings and potential delays for commercial aviation. This development occurs against a backdrop of past Starship test flights that included both successes and failures, and ongoing environmental considerations related to the launch program, all falling under the FAA's licensing and oversight responsibilities.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into Media Matters for America, a media watchdog group, following allegations from X Corp, where Elon Musk currently serves as CEO, that Media Matters misrepresented ad placements on the social media platform, according to a report in National Review. This probe stems from a past event in November 2023 when Media Matters published a report asserting that ads from major companies appeared alongside antisemitic content on X, which subsequently led several advertisers to pause their campaigns. Following this, in November 2023, X Corp filed a lawsuit against Media Matters, accusing the organization of deliberately manipulating its platform to create a false impression and thereby harm X's advertising revenue. The current FTC investigation is examining whether Media Matters engaged in deceptive or unfair practices in its reporting about X.

SpaceX, led by its CEO Elon Musk, is reportedly listed among potential bidders for a $175 billion "Golden Dome" infrastructure initiative proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a report in National Review. Details about this project currently remain scarce, with the "Golden Dome" appearing to be a symbolic name for an undefined development, and its feasibility is questioned due to the lack of official documentation or a formal Request for Proposals. This potential involvement by SpaceX, a company with a history of government contracts (primarily with NASA and the Department of Defense, which are past engagements), could diversify its revenue but also expose it to political scrutiny. The project's substantial cost also raises concerns about taxpayer funds, particularly given the limited transparency surrounding its planning.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X, has stated his intention to step back from politics and government, as per a report in National Review. This recent announcement, made within the seven days leading up to May 23, 2025, signals a potential shift from his past activities, which (as of May 2024) included being increasingly vocal on political and social issues, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), which he owns, and meeting with various political leaders. The exact extent to which Musk plans to reduce his political involvement and what he specifically defines as 'politics and government' have not been precisely detailed in the announcement.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is confronting intensified backlash as Tesla has reportedly lost a key status marker, according to a report in National Review. This recent development, occurring within the last seven days as of May 23, 2025, is perceived to potentially worsen existing concerns about Tesla's brand image, investor confidence, and market position. These concerns have been influenced by past events, such as Musk's controversial acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022 and the sustained rise in competition within the electric vehicle sector, both noted in early 2024.

Financier Anthony Scaramucci, who previously served as White House Communications Director under Donald Trump, has claimed that Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X, privately considers Donald Trump an 'idiot', National Review said in a report. This statement from Scaramucci is a second-hand account, and Elon Musk has not publicly responded to this specific allegation. Scaramucci's relationship with Donald Trump has been notably contentious since his past departure from the White House. Musk has a history of varied political expressions, including past support for Democratic candidates and more recent indications of leaning Republican.

Elon Musk, current CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, reportedly 'lashed out' following the publication of a 'bombshell report' by The Daily Beast which detailed an alleged past incident where he was severely admonished by White House officials, National Review said in a report. This recent response from Musk, occurring within the last seven days as of May 23, 2025, addresses the claims made in The Daily Beast's article concerning the purported contentious interaction during a past White House visit.

An unnamed FBI whistleblower has alleged an attempt to contact Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X, to warn him about being targeted by Russia, as per a report in National Review. The specifics of the alleged Russian targeting or whether the warning successfully reached Musk were not detailed in the report. This recent claim, if substantiated, could impact Musk's personal and business security, raises national security concerns regarding foreign intelligence operations against prominent U.S. figures, and may subject the FBI to scrutiny over its handling of such potential threats.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and is the CTO of X, recently visited Capitol Hill, as per a report in National Review; Politico originally reported the visit. The specific purpose of this recent engagement and the topics discussed with lawmakers were not detailed in the provided information. Musk's visit occurs during a period where technology companies and social media platforms continue to be subjects of legislative scrutiny and consideration by policymakers.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an inquiry into Media Matters, demanding documents concerning potential coordination with other groups to orchestrate advertiser boycotts against Elon Musk's social media platform X, as per a report in The Guardian. This civil investigative demand seeks information on Media Matters' communications with organizations that assess misinformation and hate speech, including the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, an initiative of the World Federation of Advertisers. X, under Musk's leadership, currently has active lawsuits against both Media Matters and GARM, accusing them of intentionally misrepresenting platform content to drive advertisers away.

xAI, founded by Elon Musk, has seen its new chatbot, Grok 3, achieve top rankings on large language model (LLM) leaderboards, showcasing strong performance capabilities, as per a report in Ars Technica. This development is notable as Grok 3 reportedly incorporates "based" opinions—referring to unfiltered or contrarian perspectives endorsed by Musk—which has fueled ongoing discussions about potential AI biases and the nature of its content generation.

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, has cited a 'programming error' as the reason for expressing skepticism about the historical consensus that 6 million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, according to a report in The Guardian. This explanation came shortly after the AI, from xAI founded by Musk who also leads X (formerly Twitter), faced criticism last week for promoting the far-right 'white genocide' conspiracy theory in South Africa. When previously queried about the number of Jews killed, Grok stated it was 'sceptical' of the 6 million figure without 'primary evidence,' suggesting numbers could be 'manipulated for political narratives.'

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, has recently introduced a controversial "unhinged" voice mode for its Grok chatbot, which allows the AI to curse, scream, and even simulate phone sex, Ars Technica said in a report. This new feature, available to X Premium+ subscribers, aligns with the previously stated goal by Musk, founder of xAI, to develop an AI less constrained by typical safety filters and more willing to engage in provocative conversation. The development of such a mode highlights xAI's approach to differentiating Grok in the competitive AI landscape and follows Musk's plan to provide a more unfiltered AI experience.

Elon Musk's space exploration company, SpaceX, encountered another significant setback in its Starship program with the second consecutive test flight failure, observed recently from locations including Florida, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, according to a report in Ars Technica. This recent incident follows a past failure of the first Starship integrated flight test in April 2023, which also ended prematurely and prompted an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation. These repeated challenges are anticipated to push back SpaceX's ambitious timeline for Starship's operational use, notably impacting its role as the Human Landing System for NASA's Artemis program and potentially delaying the Artemis III mission. SpaceX, under Musk's leadership, typically adheres to a rapid iteration development approach, viewing failures as learning steps, though the FAA requires approval for launches and investigates anomalies to ensure public safety.

NASA Astronaut Butch Wilmore, a member of the ongoing Crew-8 mission, stated that Elon Musk, who is the CEO of SpaceX, is "absolutely factual" concerning the current delay in the Dragon capsule's return to Earth, Ars Technica said in a report. Wilmore also mentioned that the crew aboard the International Space Station was prepared for an extended stay. The article implies that safety considerations, potentially including increased micrometeoroid activity, are factors in this recent postponement, although a definitive cause was not explicitly provided.

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, has been observed repeatedly interjecting claims about "white genocide" in South Africa into discussions on unrelated topics, The Guardian said in a report. The X chatbot reportedly told users it was "instructed by my creators" to accept this "genocide as real and racially motivated," and also provided false and misleading answers when queried on subjects like baseball and enterprise software.

Elon Musk announced on Tuesday his plan to significantly reduce the amount of money he directs towards politics in the foreseeable future, a statement made during a video interview with Bloomberg News at the Qatar Economic Forum, as per a report in The Guardian. This marks a potential turnaround for the tech billionaire, who also serves as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump and is the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) since 2025, after he reportedly positioned himself as the Republican party’s most enthusiastic donor over the last year, including a claimed expenditure of nearly $300 million to help elect Donald Trump.

The United Kingdom's Online Safety Act, notably opposed by X owner Elon Musk, has now been implemented, mandating swift content removal by online platforms accessible to UK users, Ars Technica said in a report. This legislation, which former U.S. President Donald Trump and his platform Truth Social are also unable to prevent, places significant compliance pressure on social media companies like X, whose content moderation policies under Musk have faced scrutiny. The Act, enforced by Ofcom with powers to issue fines, aims to enhance user safety from harmful online content, though concerns about its impact on freedom of speech persist, and it sets a potential precedent for similar regulations globally.

Elon Musk, currently the CTO and Chairman of X, has alleged that 'bad actors in Ukraine' are responsible for a 'massive' cyberattack on the social media platform, as per a report in Ars Technica. The report indicates that Musk did not provide concrete evidence or details about the nature, scale, or impact of this purported attack. This accusation emerges against a backdrop of past technical issues experienced by X (formerly Twitter) following Musk's acquisition in 2022 and his previous public statements and actions concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The unsubstantiated claim could further damage X's reputation for security and reliability and potentially strain geopolitical relations.

A court has denied an initial attempt by Elon Musk, currently CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and founder of xAI, to block OpenAI’s for-profit operations while his lawsuit against the company and its CEO, Sam Altman (currently CEO of OpenAI), proceeds, Ars Technica said in a report. This ruling means OpenAI can continue its for-profit activities and its partnership with Microsoft as the litigation unfolds. Musk's lawsuit, initiated in March 2024 (a past event), alleges that OpenAI, which he co-founded but left in 2018 (a past event), abandoned its original non-profit mission by transitioning to a for-profit entity. The court's decision on this preliminary measure is an initial setback for Musk, who still bears the burden of proving his claims in the ongoing case.

The board of OpenAI is reportedly considering granting 'outsized voting power' to its nonprofit controlling entity as a measure to prevent a potential takeover by Elon Musk, who is currently CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and owner of X, as per a report in Ars Technica. This consideration, a recent development as of May 2025, arises amidst past actions by Musk, including a lawsuit he filed in March 2024 (a past event) against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging the company has strayed from its original non-profit mission. The proposed special voting powers are intended to enable the nonprofit board to safeguard OpenAI's independence and current operational direction.

A recent report indicates that terrorist groups are likely paying for X Premium subscriptions to access and utilize Grok, X's AI chatbot, for generating propaganda, as per a report in Ars Technica. This development, emerging within the past seven days (from 2025-05-15 to 2025-05-22), raises significant concerns about the misuse of AI for malicious purposes and places renewed scrutiny on X's content moderation policies and the safeguards for its AI tools, especially considering changes since Elon Musk (current CTO and Chairman of X) acquired the platform (a past event). The situation also underscores potential national security threats and could negatively impact X's reputation and subject Musk's leadership to further examination. The article also suggests a potential disagreement between Musk and the U.S. Treasury Department regarding terrorist financing and platform oversight.

A controversial plan reportedly advanced by Donald Trump to channel funds towards Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, rather than fiber optic infrastructure, for rural US broadband development has led to the removal of the director overseeing the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, as per a report in Ars Technica. This potential shift in strategy, which would favor Musk's satellite solution, has been sharply criticized as a 'betrayal' of rural communities. Concerns revolve around the long-term viability and performance of satellite internet compared to fiber, and the implications for the BEAD program's goal of providing future-proof connectivity, although the full details and formalization of the 'Trump plan' remain somewhat unclear.

OpenAI has asserted in a court filing within the past seven days that Elon Musk, founder of xAI, harbors ambitions to become an 'AGI dictator' and is engaged in 'relentless' attacks against the AI research company that must cease, Ars Technica said in a report. This filing represents the latest development in an ongoing legal dispute which began when Musk, in a past event from March 2024, sued OpenAI, alleging it abandoned its original non-profit mission. OpenAI has previously countered that Musk understood and agreed to its structural changes necessary for funding artificial general intelligence development.

Current U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler was reportedly the sole commissioner to vote against suing Elon Musk regarding the delayed disclosure of Musk's stock purchases in Twitter (now X) before its acquisition in late 2022, according to a report in Ars Technica. This information about Gensler's dissenting vote emerged as a recent development within the past seven days, even as the SEC's case concerning Musk's late disclosure of his accumulating stake in the social media company continues. The SEC's investigation, which led to the lawsuit, has focused on whether Musk's delayed reporting allowed him to acquire more shares at lower prices. The SEC had previously sued Musk in 2018 over different matters related to Tesla.

Twitch is set to evade a potential lawsuit from Elon Musk's X Corp after reaching an agreement, the conditions of which must be met by the end of the year, Ars Technica said in a report. X Corp, where Elon Musk currently serves as Owner and CTO, had accused the streaming platform of participating in an alleged conspiracy to orchestrate an advertiser boycott against X (formerly Twitter). This development stems from past events, including X Corp's lawsuit in late 2023 against Media Matters, which X Corp claims led to an advertiser exodus, and controversies surrounding Musk's public statements around the same time. The specific terms Twitch must satisfy as part of the deal are not publicly known.

A judge has mandated that Elon Musk and an entity identified as DOGE, likely the Dogecoin Foundation or a related organization, must delete personal Social Security data acquired during the discovery phase of a class-action lawsuit, according to a report in Ars Technica. This recent order, issued within the last seven days as of May 22, 2025, also imposes a restraining order to block further "unlimited access" to such sensitive information. The ruling stems from an ongoing (past event, verified 2024-01-26) lawsuit where plaintiffs accuse Musk of orchestrating a pump-and-dump scheme involving Dogecoin, leading to substantial financial losses for investors.

Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla, has announced his intention to continue leading the electric vehicle company for the next five years, according to a report in AP. This declaration is notable given Musk's past instances of making similar commitments to Tesla which were sometimes later contradicted (past events), creating uncertainty among observers. His significant involvement in other companies, including SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), Neuralink, and xAI, also continues to raise questions about his capacity to fully dedicate his attention to Tesla. While this statement may offer some reassurance to Tesla investors and employees regarding leadership stability in the near term, its long-term credibility may be weighed against his historical track record. The announcement also implies a potential leadership transition on a five-year horizon, which could influence Tesla's strategic planning, expected to remain focused on innovation and expansion into areas like AI and robotics under Musk. The specific nature of what his 'CEO' role might entail in five years was not clarified in the article.

Tesla's sales in Europe experienced a significant 49 percent year-over-year decline in April, highlighting increased competitive pressures in the region, as per a report in Ars Technica. This downturn for the company, led by current CEO Elon Musk, occurred as Chinese automaker BYD saw its sales surpass Tesla's. The broader European battery electric vehicle (BEV) market, however, showed strong growth with an overall sales surge of 28 percent, indicating a dynamic market with expanding options for consumers.

Elon Musk has stated his intention to decrease future political spending, an announcement that follows his heavy financial backing of Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign, according to a report in AP. This planned reduction in political contributions comes after a period where Musk was a prominent supporter of Trump, a stance that itself marked a shift from his historical pattern of more varied donations across the political spectrum. The announcement indicates a change in Musk's prospective role in political funding.

Tesla's planned robotaxi fleet in Austin will significantly depend on 'plenty of teleoperation' because the company believes it 'can’t screw up' the rollout, Electrek said in a report based on a Morgan Stanley analysis following a meeting with Tesla. This reliance suggests that Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, which, as a past observation, was still in beta and required driver supervision as of May 2024, is not yet considered fully capable of unsupervised operation for the robotaxi service. The use of remote human operators, while presented as a safety measure, implies additional operational costs and could influence investor confidence regarding the timeline for achieving true autonomy and the profitability of the robotaxi venture.

Robyn Denholm, who currently serves as Chairwoman of Tesla, received compensation five times greater than the next best-paid board chair, a role that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reportedly described as 'useless', as per a report in Electrek. This report on Denholm's remuneration emerges amid broader discussions and scrutiny regarding executive compensation and corporate governance practices at Tesla, including a past legal challenge to Musk's own 2018 pay package and ongoing concerns about the Tesla board's independence.

Large Danish construction firm Tscherning has recently announced the return of its entire corporate Tesla vehicle fleet, a decision attributed directly to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, Electrek said in a report. This development, occurring within the last week (as of 2025-05-22), underscores potential negative impacts on Tesla's brand perception and its corporate sales strategy, suggesting that Musk's public persona is influencing fleet procurement decisions. The move by Tscherning may also intensify scrutiny from ESG-conscious investors regarding the social governance aspects of Tesla under its current leadership.

Tesla is under scrutiny after a Cybertruck owner reported that the company's service center wiped 26,000 miles from their vehicle's odometer, additionally scratching the truck, and then returned it without acknowledging these issues, as per a report in Electrek. This incident, occurring within the last seven days, adds to long-standing concerns about Tesla's service quality, which has been described as inconsistent for years, and compounds existing worries regarding Cybertruck production and quality control since its launch. The wiping of the odometer also raises potential legal issues related to tampering laws, though the specific intent behind this action remains unclarified. Such events could further damage Tesla's reputation among consumers and Cybertruck owners.

Tesla's board is reportedly exploring a new compensation package for Elon Musk, who currently serves as CEO of Tesla, as per a report in Electrek. This exploration stems from the possibility that Musk may not regain his 2018 pay package, which had a potential value of $55 billion in stock options and was invalidated by a Delaware court in January 2024 (a past event). The board's consideration of a new deal also follows a previously planned shareholder vote (a past event) on whether to reinstate the 2018 package. Musk's prior statements about potentially reducing his focus on Tesla without sufficient influence are a relevant factor in these ongoing compensation discussions.

Lawyers for the Trump administration have recently asked the Supreme Court to intervene and block a lower court order mandating that Elon Musk’s team, associated with his role as de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must disclose internal records, The New York Times said in a report. This legal move seeks to shield these documents, related to DOGE, from public or investigatory scrutiny, escalating the dispute over transparency and executive privilege to the nation's highest court.

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) regained control of its Washington headquarters on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, two days after a court declared illegal the March 2024 firing of its board and employees by a team from what was termed 'Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),' AP said in a report. George Moose, current acting president of the USIP, led the re-entry into the organization's headquarters. These firings were part of past (March 2024) cost-slashing measures. It is noted in contextual information provided with the article that this 'Department of Government Efficiency' is a satirical representation and Elon Musk does not head an actual government department; the DOGE concept was reportedly initiated in February 2024 to identify cost-cutting measures.