OPINION
— On his first day, Donald Trump pardoned January 6 rioters, emboldened extremists, and signed a vague economic order, raising deep concerns about his emboldened presidency and unpredictable future actions.
Elon Musk
CEO of SpaceX. CEO of Tesla. Founder of The Boring Company. Co-founder of Neuralink. Owner and CEO of X (formerly Twitter).
The Inauguration of Donald Trump
— Donald Trump’s second inaugural speech showcased an authoritarian manifesto, blending messianic self-aggrandisement, disdain for democratic norms, and admiration for dictators, marking a profound shift toward personality-driven, divisive governance.
The Inauguration of Donald Trump
— In his fiery address, Donald Trump pledged bold, contentious reforms prioritising immigration, energy, and national sovereignty, reigniting “America First” rhetoric.
Post-Truth
— Big Tech’s abandonment of truth accelerates in 2025 as Mark Zuckerberg scraps Meta’s fact-checking programme and Elon Musk amplifies falsehoods. Generative AI adds to the misinformation crisis, threatening democracy and informed discourse.
Long-Read
— National populism, fuelled by media-backed disinformation, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and libertarian ideologies, threatens democracies globally by eroding institutions, fostering fear, and exploiting divisions.
UK Politics
— British MP Jess Phillips’ online abuse from Elon Musk highlights the pervasive silencing of women in public life. Such targeted attacks threaten safety, deter participation, and undermine democracy globally.
UK Politics
— Elon Musk’s online interventions in UK politics, including accusations against Keir Starmer and backing far-right figures, highlight undemocratic interference and volatile alliances. Politicians must distance themselves to preserve democratic integrity.
OPINION
— Elon Musk’s criticism of Nigel Farage highlights the billionaire’s deepening involvement in British politics, promoting far-right agendas, stoking racial tensions, and undermining democracy, Wee Ginger Dug writes, adding that urgent reforms to political donations are essential.
COMMENT
— Elon Musk’s attacks on the US spending bill, labelling it “criminal” and urging electoral consequences for supporting lawmakers, highlight troubling parallels with “state capture,” exposing risks to American political integrity.
Far-Right
— Italian PM Giorgia Meloni and Elon Musk’s growing friendship reflects mutual admiration but risks political friction. Alignments on anti-woke stances and potential Starlink expansion highlight tensions between nationalism, deregulation, and global partnerships.
OPINION
— Elon Musk’s potential funding of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party highlights the influence of dark money in British politics, threatening democracy and raising concerns for Scotland’s 2026 elections and independence movement.
OPINION
— Wee Ginger Dug condemns Elon Musk’s X/Twitter for fostering hate speech and divisive content, highlighting BlueSky instead as a friendlier and more inclusive alternative for online interaction.
US Politics
— Donald Trump’s second-term cabinet selection prioritises loyalty over expertise, featuring controversial figures linked to divisive rhetoric, legal investigations, and potential conflicts of interest, sparking debate over governance suitability and policy implications.
US Politics
— Elon Musk’s growing influence as Donald Trump’s advisor raises concerns among free speech advocates, who argue Musk’s prosecution threats against critics may stifle dissent and jeopardise First Amendment protections.
OPINION
— Trump’s election victory has fuelled far-right nationalist gains, threatening minority and migrant rights in the US and intensifying right-wing populism in Scotland. Reform UK’s recent growth in Scotland now signals a potential rise in anti-immigration and climate-sceptic influence at Holyrood.
2024 US Presidential Election
— Donald Trump has defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election in a highly contested race. Trump’s win underscores a broader shift to the right in American politics.
