Musk torches White House trade advisor Navarro: ‘Dumber than a sack of bricks’
SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk sparred on social media Tuesday with White House Senior Counselor Peter Navarro, after Navarro said in an interview Monday that Tesla was a car “assembler” rather than a manufacturer.
“Tesla has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks,” Musk said in an X post on Tuesday.
“Navarro is truly a moron,” Musk said in a separate post. “What he says here is demonstrably false.”
Both Navarro and Musk are two of Trump’s closest advisors, and Navarro previously served in Trump’s first administration as the director of the White House National Trade Council and the director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy.
HERE’S A CLOSER LOOK AT TRUMP’S TARIFF PLAN: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW DUTIES
Musk is currently spearheading the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative to curb government waste and spending as a “special government employee.”
The executive or legislative branches are permitted to take on temporary employees to address short-term projects for up to 130 days in a single 365-day period, which will expire at the end of May for Musk.
The tension between the two advisors comes days after the Trump administration unveiled a host of tariffs Wednesday. The policy sets out a baseline duty of 10% on all imports to the U.S., in addition to customized tariffs for countries that have higher tariffs in place on American goods.
Meanwhile, Musk is an advocate for free-trade policies.
Navarro told CNBC in an interview Monday that Musk is a “car person” who wants “cheap, foreign parts.”
“When it comes to tariffs and trade, we all understand in the White House, and the American people understand, that Elon is a car manufacturer, but he’s not a car manufacturer,” Navarro said. “He’s a car assembler.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off the disagreement as a sign of the administration’s transparency.
“Whatever,” Leavitt said, according to CNBC. “We are the most transparent administration in history, expressing our disagreements in public.”
TRUMP TOUTS RETURN OF ‘AMERICAN DREAM’ IN HISTORIC TARIFF ANNOUNCEMENT
The White House referred Fox News Digital to Leavitt’s comment to CNBC when asked to weigh in on the matter.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the episode exposed the “chaos” within the Trump administration.
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“The chaos within the Trump administration was shown a few minutes ago when Elon Musk called Peter Navarro, the chief architect of these tariffs, a moron,” Schumer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “That’s Musk’s word. He called him a moron. Their plan is so crazy, so controversial, that this administration cannot get its act together with them calling names about each other to against one one another about this tariff plan.”
AG Bondi sends warning to violent illegal gangsters after Supreme Court win
Attorney General Pam Bondi warned illegal immigrant criminals to start packing their bags after the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to resume deportation flights under the Alien and Enemies Act after an Obama-nominated judge tried to block it – handing a major boost to the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
“Americans are safer [because of this ruling], and domestic terrorists, foreign terrorists, you’d better look out because we’re coming after you. I’d start self-deporting if I were you, because we are going to find you,” she told “Fox & Friends” on Tuesday.
Justices on the high court ruled 5-4 to grant the Trump administration’s request to vacate a lower court’s ruling barring the use of the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 wartime immigration law, to immediately deport Venezuelan nationals – including alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
SUPREME COURT GRANTS TRUMP REQUEST TO LIFT STAY HALTING VENEZUELAN DEPORTATIONS
The decision also added due process protections for the detainees, meaning they must be given opportunities to challenge their detention via habeas corpus claims.
“From this point forward, the [habeas corpus] hearings will be held… in the Court of Confinement, which means in Texas, so it will be a much faster hearing. They can’t do class actions. It will be a much smoother, simpler hearing, and these people will be deported,” Bondi explained.
SUPREME COURT FREEZES ORDER TO RETURN MAN FROM EL SALVADOR PRISON
The decision, though a temporary victory, came after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg blocked the Trump administration’s use of the law for 14 days while he considered the case on its merits last month.
A federal appeals court upheld the pause in a 2-1 decision.
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“These liberal district judges thought that they could control our entire country’s policy, Donald Trump’s policy on keeping America safe. They cannot do it,” Bondi said.
“This was a landmark ruling for the rule of law yesterday, and it’s so important because these flights will now continue. These terrorists… they are alien enemies to our country, and we will continue to deport them. We are going to keep America safe, and a liberal district judge is not going to stop us.”
Trump assassination attempt suspect tried to obtain military-grade weapons in alleged plot
Federal prosecutors revealed that Ryan Routh, the accused would-be assassin of President Donald Trump, sought to obtain military-grade weapons – including a rocket launcher – from a Ukrainian contact as part of his alleged assassination plot.
Routh told his associate to “send me a rpg [rocket-propelled grenade] or stinger, and I will see what we can do… [Trump] is not good for Ukraine,” according to court documents obtained by Fox News.
The pair discussed Routh’s purchase options, with Routh inquiring if his associate could “ship it to me???” before explaining his intent for the military-grade weapons: “I need equipment so that Trump cannot get elected.”
Routh went on to say the weapons of war get lost “all the time on the battlefield” and “one missing would not be noticed,” according to the court records.
NEW CHARGE AGAINST RYAN ROUTH, SUSPECT IN ATTEMPTED TRUMP ASSASSINATION
Prosecutors say that Routh also floated the idea of obtaining a rocket or missile launcher, with the suspect sending his associate an image of President Trump’s plane and writing, “Trump’s plane, he gets on and off daily.”
Routh’s defense also submitted court filings on Monday, including a 13-page motion alleging that law enforcement used “impermissibly suggestive” tactics when interviewing an eyewitness identified as T.C.M. They claim the witness felt pressured to identify Routh because of the intense atmosphere created by the presence of multiple law enforcement agencies.
“All of these circumstances created a heightened pressure to make the identification,” the filing said. “It would not be difficult for any well-meaning individual to identify the one, and only, person law enforcement presented to them in this manner.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Routh’s legal team and the FBI for comment.
Ryan Routh timeline
Federal authorities allege that the plot orchestrated by Routh, a native of North Carolina, “was not impromptu,” but pre-meditated. They argued that “he had been planning to assassinate the President for six months, at least.”
March-April 2024: Reconnaissance trip
Routh scouted West Palm Beach and Trump’s locations months before the attack, prosecutors say. After returning home, he allegedly gave a friend, identified as L.P., a box containing “Dear World” letter outlining the assassination plan, burner phones and ammunition.
February-September 2024: Plans escape
Routh is accused of messaging a contact named “Ramiro” in Mexico for smuggling assistance on WhatsApp. Days before the planned attack, Routh told “Ramiro” he would be in Mexico City post-Sept. 15, according to authorities.
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Early August 2024: Attempted purchase of firearms
On Aug. 25, around the same time he was trying to get his hands on rocket and missile launchers from Ukraine, Routh explored other means of killing Trump, prosecutors allege. Routh allegedly researched and attempted to purchase a .50 caliber sniper rifle from a gun dealer in the Fort Pierce, Florida, area.
Prosecutors say Routh searched and contacted gun shops in Hawaii, where he had previously lived with a girlfriend, browsed numerous Craigslist listings for firearms in South Florida, and reached out to a friend in North Carolina to inquire about the price and availability of a .50 caliber sniper rifle.
WHO IS RYAN WESLEY ROUTH: ALLEGED GUNMAN AT TRUMP GOLF CLUB
Routh purchased a military-grade SKS rifle that he used on Sept. 15, 2024, in the assassination attempt, authorities said.
Aug. 14: Returns to Florida
On Aug. 14, 2024, Routh returned to Florida and allegedly began intense surveillance on Trump’s travel routes.
Using a burner phone, Routh researched, among other things, Trump’s campaign movements, patterns of life, the golf course, Trump’s airplane, firearms and ammunition, escape routes, local hospitals, police forensic techniques, and items he would need for the attempt, prosecutors said.
Sept. 15: Assassination attempt on Trump
On Sept. 15, 2024, Routh carried out what federal prosecutors describe as the final stage of an attempted assassination plot against Trump.
In the pre-dawn hours, prosecutors say Routh set up a sniper hideout near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Armed with a military-grade SKS rifle that he had obtained illegally, Routh is accused of positioning himself in anticipation of Trump’s arrival to play golf.
Before Trump came into range, Routh was spotted by Secret Service agents. When they confronted him, the agents opened fire, and Routh fled the scene, abandoning his rifle, officials said.
During his attempted escape, he carried a written escape plan, multiple burner phones, fake IDs and stolen license plates, according to authorities. He was later arrested in Martin County the same day.
Ryan Routh’s charges
Routh is charged with attempting to assassinate Trump on Sept. 15, 2024, at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
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Routh pleaded not guilty to the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
In December, he was charged with another felony attempted murder charge, with prosecutors arguing he was responsible for an accident that almost killed a young girl when police shut down traffic after he fled.
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Routh’s trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8, 2025.
Anti-Trump protesters asked why they’re so mad — describe their fantasyland America
From diversity and gay rights to freedom of speech and protest, anti-Trump activists in New York shared their visions of an “ideal America” during interviews with Fox News Digital on Saturday, at the ‘Hands Off!’ protest movement.
“For me, an ideal America is one where people can protest like this and have their voices heard, and they are the ones who are running the country — not somebody who’s taken over the country and no longer allows the First Amendment to be spoken,” said one unnamed, masked protester, holding a sign which had the scientific symbol for “resistor.”
Another protester, Josh from Queens, echoed the sentiment about freedom of speech, saying in an ideal America, no one is concerned about their right to free speech.
“An ideal America looks like a country where its citizens can live in dignity, can live in peace and prosperity, where, yeah, we are not afraid to exercise our right to free speech, our constitutional given rights, where everyone ideally, is housed, is fed, makes a fair living wage,” Josh told Fox News Digital.
WATCH: ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTERS SLAM BUDGET REFORMS, LABEL ADMINISTRATION ‘ROBBER BARONS’
Recent events, such as the case of anti-Israel student Mahmoud Khalil, continue to place the First Amendment in the spotlight, allowing the boundaries of free speech to continue to be redefined.
The former Columbia University graduate student was arrested by ICE for failing to disclose his affiliation with a United Nations Palestinian relief agency.
“To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you,” Trump is quoted in a fact sheet issued by the White House.
Others told Fox News Digital they are prioritizing social values, like diversity or LGBTQ+ rights. This includes May — a resident of Manhattan who says that her ‘ideal America’ includes diversity and peace.
“Diverse, which is a bad word these days,” May told Fox News Digital about her ideal America. “Women have rights and freedom. And we live in peace.”
Mary, a protester from Queens, added that her ideal America included “civil rights, gay rights, enough food and health care for every single person, and the right attitude toward other countries, a helping attitude.”
AMERICANS GRADE DOGE AND ELON MUSK’S EFFORTS WITHIN THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
The Trump administration has pushed back diversity mandates and woke ideology in federal agencies and education. The stated purpose of the pushback is to restore merit-based systems and reduce divisive identity politics.
DEI comes with a cost, including a price tag to taxpayers of nearly $2 billion nationwide due to mandates at public universities, according to the Goldwater Institute in a report shared earlier this year.
Some activists, however, still felt that it was the responsibility of the U.S. to give back to those that were considered underprivileged or to provide individuals with a social safety net.
“Ideal America is [an] America that’s going to give more rights to more people,” said Yalena, who is from Ukraine and has lived in the U.S. for over three decades.
“And those of us who have privilege, sharing that privilege. So, when we say MAGA, we say ‘Make America Great Again,’ and when we refer to again, it’s a group of people that was privileged enough to be gaining from government and society, and what we’re trying to do in the democratic world is to give more rights to people who are underprivileged,” she said. “I think this is the main thing. Am I privileged or am I underprivileged? And that’s where we need to concentrate in the democracy.”
Wendy, a professor living in New Jersey, also shared that everyone should be provided a social safety net in her version of an ideal America.
“An ideal America is one where everyone has a social safety net and can be successful in their jobs and make enough money, a living wage — to be able to take care of themselves and their families,” Wendy said.
In 2023, federal agencies estimated $236 billion in improper payments for social safety net programs were disbursed, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). That sum accounted for funds from 71 different government programs.
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The protesters were interviewed at New York City’s Bryant Park, during the “Hands Off!” movement. The protests that took place this weekend are being regarded as the largest nationwide display of opposition since Trump began his second term.
Trump hints at possible deal with key ally on tariffs and more after ‘great call’
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday morning on Truth Social that he had spoken with South Korea’s acting president about various issues.
Trump is targeting South Korea and many other countries with tariffs.
But he indicated in the post that the U.S. is engaging in multifaceted negotiations with foreign nations.
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The president suggested that a deal with South Korea is possible.
“I just had a great call with the Acting President of South Korea. We talked about their tremendous and unsustainable Surplus, Tariffs, Shipbuilding, large scale purchase of U.S. LNG, their joint venture in an Alaska Pipeline, and payment for the big time Military Protection we provide to South Korea,” he said in the post.
STOCKS JUMP AS TRUMP’S TARIFF NEGOTIATING BEGINS: LIVE UPDATES
“In any event, we have the confines and probability of a great DEAL for both countries. Their top TEAM is on a plane heading to the U.S., and things are looking good. We are likewise dealing with many other countries, all of whom want to make a deal with the United States. Like with South Korea, we are bringing up other subjects that are not covered by Trade and Tariffs, and getting them negotiated also. “ONE STOP SHOPPING” is a beautiful and efficient process!!!”
TRUMP’S TARIFF PLAN IS A ‘GENIUS MOVE’: RIC GRENELL
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The stock market, which has taken a hit since Trump made his tariff announcement last week, spiked higher on Tuesday morning.
New lawyers for teen stabbing suspect have request for the court — and the public
Newly hired attorneys for Karmelo Anthony, accused of stabbing teen track star Austin Metcalf to death at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, last week, are asking the public to be patient and not rush to judgment in the case.
“Karmelo and the entire Anthony family are sincerely saddened that a life was lost and offer their condolences to the family of Austin Metcalf,” according to a statement from Bill Clark of the Clark Law Firm and Kim Cole of K Cole Law, Anthony’s new legal defense team.
The family also asked that the public not jump to conclusions.
TEXAS TRACK MEET STABBING SUSPECT TOLD RESPONDING OFFICERS HE ‘DID IT’: DOCS
“During this difficult time, we urge the public to refrain from rushing to judgment before all the facts and evidence are presented. Karmelo, like all citizens of the United States, is entitled to a fair and impartial legal process; we are committed to ensuring that Karmelo’s rights are indeed protected throughout each phase of the criminal justice system,” the lawyers said.
Clark and Cole confirmed in the release that they are seeking to reduce Anthony’s bond from the current $1 million, which they called “excessive.”
Anthony faces first-degree murder charges and is being held in the Collin County Jail.
“This will certainly be a long road ahead and during this challenging time, we ask for prayers for both families and we ask for your patience and respect for the legal process as we seek the truth,” the attorneys said in the statement.
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Metcalf, 17, a junior at Memorial High School in Frisco, was stabbed to death after an altercation during a championship track meet in Frisco last Wednesday. The dispute arose over a seating arrangement inside a tent.
According to an arrest report obtained by Fox News, Metcalf told Anthony he needed to leave the Memorial High School tent before Anthony “grabbed his bag, opened it and reached inside it” and said, “Touch me and see what happens.”
“Austin stood up and pushed the male to get him out of the tent,” the arrest report said.
The first person to confront Anthony was a school resource officer, according to the report.
“I was protecting myself,” Anthony said. “He put his hands on me.”
Anthony was placed in handcuffs at the scene, police said. An officer noted in the arrest report that there was “blood on his [Anthony’s] left middle finger.”
GRIEVING TEXAS FATHER SPEAKS OUT AFTER SON WAS STABBED TO DEATH AT HIGH SCHOOL TRACK MEET
The report says that during the arrest, Anthony made a “spontaneous statement” saying, “I’m not alleged, I did it.”
He also asked whether Metcalf would be OK, and whether his actions could be considered self-defense.
Meanwhile, donations and comments of support for Anthony continue to pour in on a GiveSendGo online fundraiser set up by Anthony’s family.
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The Help Karmelo Official Fund has garnered more than $218,000 in donations as of Tuesday morning. Nearly 6,500 people have contributed to the fund.
“It’s not much but I hope it helps. Karmelo has support from all over the country,” one Tuesday morning donor said.
“Praying for your healing against bullying. My support is with you,” said another.
Fox News Digital reached out to Clark and Cole for comment.
Warning shots fired after North Korean soldiers cross line in demilitarized zone
South Korea’s military said its soldiers broadcasted alerts and fired warning shots after 10 North Korean troops crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), according to reports.
“Our military conducted warning broadcasts and warning shots after about 10 North Korean soldiers crossed the military demarcation line (MDL) in the eastern area of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) around 5:00 pm local time,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the press via text message, according to Reuters.
SOUTH KOREA PREPARING ‘STARWARS’ LASER DEFENSE SYSTEM TO TAKE OUT NORTH KOREAN DRONES
The military said it is “closely monitoring the North Korean military’s activity.”
No injuries were reported, and the North Korean soldiers returned to their side of the border after the South Korean troops fired warning shots.
A similar incident occurred in June 2024, just before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang. At the time, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North Korean soldiers were carrying work tools. However, a larger group — approximately 20 to 30 North Koreans — was said to have taken part in that incident.
DOZENS OF NORTH KOREAN SOLDIERS REPEATEDLY BREACH FORBIDDEN ZONE WITH SOUTH KOREA AHEAD OF PUTIN VISIT
During the visit that followed the June 2024 incident, Putin and North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un signed a landmark defensive pact.
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“If one of the two sides is placed under war situations due to an armed invasion from an individual country or several nations, the other side provides military and other assistance without delay by mobilizing all means in its possession,” the agreement states.
In October 2024, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korea had sent troops to Russia amid the country’s ongoing war with Ukraine. Then-National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said the U.S. had briefed Ukraine on the situation.
My hometown ranks number one in America — but in the most shameful way
Chicago remains the homicide capital of America — 13 years straight. According to an analysis by Wirepoints, 573 homicides were committed in Chicago during 2024 at the rate of 21.5 homicides per 100,000 residents. These depressing numbers far exceed those of other major cities like New York City, Houston and Los Angeles.
Yet most of Chicago’s city leaders may as well be living on another plant. They refuse to look at reality in all of its ugliness. After an unruly mob of over 300 kids took over Streeterville and the Loop recently, Mayor Brandon Johnson said the solution was more “safe spaces.” Safe spaces for whom?
Anybody who knows Streeterville, home to the Navy Pier, knows that it is one of the safest neighborhoods in all of Chicago. In fact, there were two shootings in March — both were due to large gatherings of teen mobs.
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That’s two shootings that could have been prevented had the city taken this problem seriously long before. When Mayor Johnson first took office there were three consecutive nights of street takeovers in the Loop and nearby areas. Fellow Chicagoans and out of towners were assaulted. Stores had their windows smashed and were robbed.
When we raised our collective outrage back then, Mayor Johnson chastised us for “demonizing children.” He went on to say, “They’re young. Sometimes they make silly decisions. They do. And so, we have to make sure that we are investing to make sure that young people know they are supported.”
I didn’t see anything “silly” about those videos showing these kids bashing innocent people over the head. I also rejected the mayor’s false argument that we’re demonizing these kids. What everyone was outraged about was the behavior of these kids and that it had been allowed to continue for many hours without any law and order.
Clearly, this delusional approach by the mayor hasn’t worked. Even he knows it. After the recent run of teenage mobs, the mayor said he would “not tolerate” this behavior any longer. But where is his solution? His plan?
CHICAGO ALDERMAN SLAMS THE MURDER CAPITAL’S ‘DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE’
I never put any of my faith in him. I didn’t vote for him and was immensely disappointed when he won. I knew that Chicago would just continue with business as usual. Now, I’m seeing more and more Chicagoans wake up to the reality of this mayor. Many of them betrayed their common sense and voted for him because of identity politics. But the reality of the horror show that this mayor is has become too much for them to bear, especially when children are at stake.
We know the only way to reach our youth is to become involved in their lives. I’ve been doing this work on the South Side for decades and I can tell you that it works. It is not perfect — I have preached at far too many funerals for teens — but it does save many lives from the fate of the bullet.
What we do is very simple. We talk to these kids, find out where they’re at, what their demons are, and we let them know we understand. We know they’re being targeted every day for membership into gangs and we strive to counter that with the belief they can become somebodies with their shot at the American Dream.
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What we don’t do is provide these kids with “safe spaces.” What is the point of a safe space if violence still reigns outside the door. What we do instead is strive to make their communities safer. That is what gives these kids that sense of security and freedom to focus on developing their skills and ambitions.
My community center, Project H.O.O.D., reduced the homicide rate in our neighborhood of Woodlawn by 50% from 2021 to 2022.
Most of those kids running inside those mobs don’t have any of that. They’re lost. They’re sheep running wherever the mob takes them. They commit violence because it is all they have to offer society at that moment. They come of age during Black Lives Matter and Defund the Police and they know there’s nobody around who cares enough to stop them. In other words, they’re pushing the limits of our society as far as they can because they know they can.
Our mayor and most of our city leaders are guilty of indulging these teen mobs. They believe they can baby these kids to safety. But I can tell you that’s not what these kids want. Many of them want to be a man or woman of importance. They want to matter. But they don’t know how because their parents have failed them, their schools have failed them, their leaders have failed them and now they are failing themselves.
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The only solution is to shock them back into reality by showing them that there are consequences for their actions. Alderman Brian Hopkins has called for imposing an 8 pm curfew on these youths to help the Chicago Police Department get a grip on the problem. I personally would go further and arrest those suspected of directly committing vandalism and battery. Lock them up. I would also hold the parents of underaged children legally accountable. No more excuses.
We have to bring back reality, law and order, and force these youths onto the citizenship track. Otherwise, this social contagion will only spread to other communities and we’ll soon all be paying the price for our wayward youth.
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