President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to move what he is calling the “Division of Authorities Effectivity” (DOGE) — an acronym that’s an obvious wink to the dog-themed cryptocurrency by the identical title that began as a joke and skyrocketed after Musk promoted it.

Trump made the announcement in a press release Tuesday night, indicating DOGE and its management, Musk and Ramaswamy, will concentrate on regulating authorities spending.

Whereas it’s not but clear whether or not this entity will exist inside the federal authorities or outdoors, an official authorities company can’t be created with out an act of Congress.

“Collectively, these two great People will pave the way in which for my Administration to dismantle Authorities Paperwork, slash extra laws, reduce wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Businesses – Important to the ‘Save America’ Motion,” Trump wrote. “I stay up for Elon and Vivek making modifications to the Federal Paperwork with a watch on effectivity and, on the identical time, making life higher for all People.”

The transfer by Trump marks one other deviation from political custom in assembling a brand new administration. It is also a continuation of Trump’s relationships with Musk and Ramaswamy, businessmen who’re each comparatively new to politics however have turn out to be shut allies of the incoming president.

On the marketing campaign path, Trump spoke of making a job within the federal authorities for Musk, who’s the richest man on this planet and owns Tesla, SpaceX and the social media platform X.

Musk has turn out to be an more and more influential voice in conservative politics. He first proposed a “authorities effectivity fee” that might monitor federal businesses throughout a dialog he had with Trump on X. Since successful the presidential election, Trump and Musk have remained in shut orbit.

The appointment additionally brings Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, formally into Trump’s administration after he was reported to have as soon as been into account for vice chairman.

“We won’t go gently,” Ramaswamy stated in a publish on X in response to the information whereas tagging Musk, who commented individually in Trump’s unique announcement.

“This may ship shockwaves by the system, and anybody concerned in Authorities waste, which is lots of people!” Musk stated.

Whereas most dept heads must be confirmed by the Senate, it is unclear what formalities Musk and Ramaswamy must undergo for these roles.

For Musk, having a direct function within the administration raises questions on potential conflicts of curiosity. He may probably acquire regulatory authority over federal businesses that oversee a lot of his firms that obtain authorities funding, together with Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink. Musk’s firms have additionally been the topic of federal investigations.

Musk and Trump

Musk grew to become a significant supporter of Trump within the ultimate leg of his presidential bid, showing on the marketing campaign path and spending greater than $100 million on organizing efforts by his tremendous PAC, America PAC. His political contributions went on to surpass the entire quantity of public donations from your complete oil business.

Musk’s relationship with Trump exists a world aside from the cautious means most American CEOs navigate politics — though Musk already has a historical past of breaking from company custom.

The tech mogul’s assist for Trump was additionally a shocking ideological pivot. Musk, who constructed his huge fortune on electrical autos with a declared dedication to preventing local weather change, is now embracing a politician who constantly dismisses considerations about carbon emissions.

That stated, Trump’s appreciation was public. On the marketing campaign path he softened a few of his rhetoric in opposition to electrical autos, saying he had “no selection” to be in favor of them after Musk’s endorsement. Trump additionally known as Musk a “tremendous genius” in his victory speech and included Musk in a household picture after the election.

Musk went on to weigh in on spending cuts whereas talking to Trump supporters at a rally in New York Metropolis forward of Election Day, arguing the funds for the federal authorities may very well be considerably shrunk by “a minimum of” $2 trillion.

Chopping prices in enterprise; spending huge in politics

He has a document of slicing spending inside his companies. After shopping for X, he performed mass layoffs, vastly decreasing the dimensions of the corporate from 8,000 to 1,500 folks.

Forward of Trump’s announcement, Musk additionally said he plans to maintain his tremendous PAC lively as Republicans gear up for particular elections and the midterms.

Like Musk, Ramaswamy has additionally known as for drastic reductions in federal spending.

Till he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in January to endorse Trump, Ramaswamy vowed to scale back the function of the federal authorities. His coverage proposals included slashing the Federal Reserve workforce by a minimum of 90% and deporting American-born youngsters of undocumented immigrants.

Washington
CNN
 — 

President-elect Donald Trump introduced Tuesday that he has nominated former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to function United States ambassador to Israel, a powerful defender of Israel who as soon as argued that there was “no such factor as a Palestinian.”

“Mike has been an awesome public servant, Governor, and Chief in Religion for a few years. He loves Israel, and the individuals of Israel, and likewise, the individuals of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to result in Peace within the Center East!” Trump mentioned in a press release.

Huckabee’s daughter, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as Trump’s press secretary throughout his first administration.

Huckabee has been staunchly pro-Israeli all through his profession – together with on what he says is the nation’s claims to the West Financial institution.

On Wednesday he mentioned it was “in fact” attainable that the US would again the Israeli authorities if it have been to try to annex the Israeli-occupied territory.

In an interview on Israeli Military Radio, Huckabee was requested whether or not the Trump administration would help annexation within the West Financial institution, identified in Israel as making use of “sovereignty.”

“Properly in fact,” Huckabee mentioned. “I received’t make the coverage, I’ll perform the coverage of the president. However he has already demonstrated in his first time period that there’s by no means been an American president that has been extra useful in securing an understanding of the sovereignty of Israel.”

“From the transferring of the embassy, recognition of the Golan Heights and Jerusalem because the capital. Nobody has completed greater than President Trump. And I absolutely count on that that can proceed.”

Israel has occupied the West Financial institution since seizing the territory from Jordan in 1967. Within the a long time since, it has expanded Jewish settlements within the space, that are thought-about unlawful underneath worldwide legislation, regardless of signing a collection of peace agreements with the Palestinians within the Nineteen Nineties. Round half 1,000,000 Israelis stay in West Financial institution settlements.

His choice will come as a welcome fruits of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lengthy mission to shore up ties to American evangelicals.

Huckabee has spent ample time in Israel, and he led a tour within the nation for the corporate Senior Grownup Journey Inc. as not too long ago as Might, based on the corporate’s web site.

In a video obtained by CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski throughout Huckabee’s 2015 run for president, Huckabee prompt that if a Palestinian state have been to be created, it ought to be in neighboring international locations like Egypt, Syria or Jordan, quite than inside Israel’s borders.

“Principally, there actually isn’t any such factor as — I have to be cautious about saying this, as a result of individuals will actually get upset — there’s actually no such factor as a Palestinian,” Huckabee mentioned at a 2008 marketing campaign cease in Massachusetts whereas talking to 2 Orthodox Jewish males. “There’s not.”

He’s been a supporter of Israeli settlements within the West Financial institution, together with laying a cornerstone for a brand new neighborhood in one of many largest settlements, simply east of Jerusalem, in 2017.

He instructed CNN’s Oren Lieberman on the time that he rejected using the phrase “settlements.”

“I believe Israel has title deed to Judea and Samaria,” mentioned Huckabee, utilizing the biblical phrases for the West Financial institution. “There are particular phrases I refuse to make use of. There is no such thing as a such factor as a West Financial institution. It’s Judea and Samaria. There’s no such factor as a settlement. They’re communities, they’re neighborhoods, they’re cities. There’s no such factor as an occupation.”

Israeli officers welcomed Trump’s alternative of ambassador.

Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who’s pushing for the annexation of settlements within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution, congratulated Huckabee in a publish on X.

Smotrich, who’s answerable for the settlements, wrote of Huckabee, “As a constant and constant pal of the State of Israel and a supporter of the settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria, who for a few years fought for our state and our proper to all elements of the Land of Israel, I’ve little doubt that we have now received and along with him we are going to strengthen Israel’s safety and power and strengthen our maintain in all its areas.”

Newly appointed International Minister Gideon Sa’ar known as Huckabee a “longstanding pal of Israel” in a publish on X and mentioned he seems to be ahead to working to “strengthen the bond between our peoples.”

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, additionally congratulated Huckabee, saying, “I believe he can be an awesome ambassador to Israel.” Dannon mentioned Huckabee is “very acquainted” with the info on the bottom and has been to Israel a number of instances, together with after the lethal October 7, 2023, Hamas assaults.

Minister of Nationwide Safety Itamar Ben-Gvir additionally expressed his help. He posted Huckabee’s title to X, adopted by emojis of the American flag, a coronary heart and an Israeli flag.

CNN’s Lauren Izso, Dana Karni and Mick Krever contributed to this report.

CNN
 — 

President-elect Donald Trump introduced Tuesday that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a brand new “Division of Authorities Effectivity” in his second administration.

“Collectively, these two fantastic Individuals will pave the best way for my Administration to dismantle Authorities Forms, slash extra rules, lower wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Companies,” Trump stated in an announcement.

The announcement of Ramaswamy and notably Musk, who leads corporations with current, profitable authorities contracts, raises fast questions on potential conflicts of curiosity. It isn’t instantly clear how the division – which Trump stated would “present recommendation and steering from outdoors of Authorities” – would function, and whether or not a Congress even totally managed by Republicans would have the urge for food to approve such an enormous overhaul of presidency spending and operations.

Trump had proposed the creation of a authorities effectivity fee as a part of a slate of latest financial plans that he unveiled in early September. On the time, he stated Musk had agreed to guide it if he had been to safe a return to the White Home.

Trump’s assertion Tuesday night time quoted Musk as saying that “it will ship shockwaves by means of the system, and anybody concerned in Authorities waste, which is lots of people!”

Ramaswamy individually responded on X with a slogan he typically used throughout his presidential marketing campaign to name for the elimination of federal businesses, writing: “SHUT IT DOWN.”

On the marketing campaign path, Trump pointed to his proposed authorities effectivity fee as a technique to cut back authorities spending. “As the primary order of enterprise, this fee will develop an motion plan to completely remove fraud and improper funds inside six months,” he stated in September. “This may save trillions of {dollars}.”

Ramaswamy, who beforehand challenged Trump within the Republican presidential major earlier than endorsing him in January, made decreasing waste in authorities spending a key coverage platform for his marketing campaign.

Final yr, Ramaswamy – who had promised on the marketing campaign path to remove the FBI, the Division of Training and the Nuclear Regulatory Fee, which might lay off 1000’s of federal employees within the course of – launched a white paper outlining a authorized framework he stated would permit the president to remove federal businesses of his selection.

Musk, for his half, stated whereas supporting Trump on the marketing campaign path that he’d pitch an enormous rollback of presidency rules, of which he has lengthy griped. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has additionally floated an evaluation system that threatens layoffs to wasteful staff and proposed providing beneficiant severance packages to laid-off authorities employees.

Musk first instructed Trump type a authorities effectivity fee and appoint him to it in an August dialog between the 2 hosted on X. Trump responded, “I’d like it.”

A couple of days later, Musk posted on X a picture of himself at a podium labeled Division of Authorities Effectivity and D.O.G.E., the title of Musk’s favourite meme and cryptocurrency. “I’m prepared to serve,” he wrote.

On Tuesday, he pledged on X that such an workplace would submit all of its actions on-line for transparency and teased “a leaderboard for many insanely dumb spending of your tax {dollars}.”

The work of the division, Trump stated in his assertion, will finish no later than July 4, 2026. “A smaller Authorities, with extra effectivity and fewer forms, would be the good present to America on the 250th Anniversary of The Declaration of Independence. I’m assured they are going to succeed!” he stated.

Musk, who slashed workers after shopping for Twitter – now X – in 2022, has embraced the concept of being the “Secretary of Value-Slicing,” as Trump referred to as him in a Fox Information interview final month.

Requested by Trump-Vance transition workforce co-chair Howard Lutnick at a rally final month how a lot he might lower out of the nation’s $6.5 trillion finances, Musk responded: “Nicely, I believe we might do at the least $2 trillion.”

“Your cash is being wasted, and the Division of Authorities Effectivity goes to repair that,” Musk stated on the Madison Sq. Backyard rally in New York Metropolis. “We’re going to get the federal government off your again and out of your pocketbook.”

(The federal authorities spent $6.8 trillion in fiscal 2024, in line with the Treasury Division.)

However specialists have voiced doubts about Musk with the ability to slash anyplace close to $2 trillion.

Talking at The Financial Membership of New York Tuesday, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers stated that Musk can be fortunate to search out $200 billion in federal finances cuts for the reason that scope for curbing waste is proscribed.

Glenn Hubbard, an economist and former dean of Columbia College’s Enterprise Faculty, stated it might be very difficult to slash that a lot spending if curiosity bills, entitlement applications and protection had been off limits.

“It’s simply mathematically inconceivable to search out $2 trillion,” Hubbard, a former chairman of the US Council of Financial Advisers within the George W. Bush administration, stated on the Financial Membership.

Trump and congressional Republicans have lengthy pointed to combating waste, fraud and abuse as methods to save lots of the federal authorities cash. However that chorus is “typically an excuse to do nothing,” Marc Goldwein, senior coverage director for the Committee for a Accountable Federal Price range, instructed CNN when Trump first mentioned making a authorities effectivity fee.

The fee must be given a broad mandate to assessment the most important federal spending applications – Social Safety, Medicare and protection – to be handiest, Goldwein stated.

A essential union for federal employees, who’re already bracing for the chance of a purge throughout the second Trump administration, additionally blasted the concept of a authorities effectivity fee.

“Elon Musk and Donald Trump care about one factor: lining their very own pockets. Not authorities effectivity, and definitely not making issues higher for on a regular basis Individuals,” American Federation of Authorities Staff Nationwide President Everett Kelley stated in an announcement in early September.

This story has been up to date with further particulars.

CNN’s David Goldman contributed to this report.

“Dancing With the Stars” hit a brand new milestone on Nov. 12, and revealed who was heading to the semifinals for Season 33. The five hundredth episode opened with execs — together with returning favourite Sharna Burgess — for the opening quantity, “Loopy in Love,” the identical opening quantity from the 2005 collection premiere. Many previous rivals returned to the ballroom, together with Adam Rippon, Ginger Zee, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Alyson Hannigan, AJ McLean and Simone Biles.

This week, every of the remaining six groups carried out routines honoring fan-favorite performances from the previous.

Final week ended with a tie on the leaderboard: Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson had 32 factors, as did Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong. So each got here able to battle for that high spot.

Joey and Jenna carried out a up to date routine, impressed by Riker Lynch and Allison Holker’s Season 20 efficiency. “I assumed it lacked a little bit of rawness,” Carrie Ann Inaba mentioned after the routine, whereas Derek Hough replied, “I disagree!” Derek, who gave a 9 to the pair final week, gave them a ten.

In the meantime, Chandler Kinney and professional Brandon Armstrong paid tribute to Derek and Kellie Pickler’s Season 16 efficiency with an Argentine Tango. Derek appreciated it a lot he “most popular” theirs over his — and the opposite judges agreed; the pair earned the primary good 30 of the season.

Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach, who honored James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess’ Season 23 efficiency with an Argentine Tango, didn’t impress Carrie Ann, who gave them an 8 and advised them she missed the Dwight from earlier within the season.

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten fell to the underside of the leaderboard in the course of the Halloween week however made fairly the comeback with a Quickstep impressed by Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold’s Season 25 efficiency, incomes a ten from Carrie Ann.

After their solo dances, the {couples} got the final word problem, studying a dance model and music 5 minutes earlier than performing reside. Whereas all pairs impressed the judges, solely Chandler and Brandon obtained an ideal rating of 30 for the problem.

In the end, after viewers votes have been added in, Dwight and Daniella have been eradicated.

CNN
 — 

Ecuador worldwide soccer participant Marco Angulo has died on the age of twenty-two, the Ecuadorian Soccer Federation mentioned in a press release.

“The Ecuadorian Soccer Federation expresses its deepest sympathy over the loss of life of Marco Angulo, who along with his expertise and dedication defended the colors of our nation at each alternative,” the governing physique wrote.

“Marco was not solely an excellent participant, but in addition an ideal teammate. He leaves a deep sorrow in our hearts, particularly in these of us who went with him on numerous journeys, coaching camps and matches.

“Relaxation in peace, Angulito.”

The midfielder, who was on mortgage at Ecuadorian membership LDU Quito from MLS aspect FC Cincinnati, had been in hospital in intensive care since being concerned in a automotive crash on October 7.

Ecuadorian outlet El Universo reported that Angulo suffered head and lung accidents within the crash and underwent a number of surgical procedures.

One other footballer, Independiente Juniors defender Roberto Cabezas, additionally died within the crash, his membership introduced on the time, as did a pal.

Angulo’s final match for Quito was on October 6, a day earlier than the crash.

FC Cincinnati mentioned it was “heartbroken” by the participant’s loss of life.

“We’re deeply saddened by the lack of Marco – a husband and father, a brother and son, a pal and teammate,” the membership mentioned in a press release.

“He was a joyful, sort younger man who lit up each room he entered. Our whole membership grieves this tragedy, and we’re considering of and praying for his household.

“He was a cherished member of the FC Cincinnati household, and he will likely be missed.”

Angulo performed twice for the Ecuador nationwide crew, in friendlies towards Iraq and Australia.

“His loss of life is an irreparable loss that can depart an indelible mark on our hearts,” LDU Quito mentioned in a press release.

LOS ANGELES — “Dancing with the Stars” celebrated its five hundredth episode Tuesday night time. The glitz and glamour within the ballroom started in 2005 and is now having fun with its strongest season but.

The remaining six {couples} every competed twice on this spherical: the primary time, doing their very own interpretation of a previous memorable dance.

Actress Chandler Kinney and her companion Brandon Armstrong earned the primary good rating of the season for his or her Argentine tango. When it got here time for spherical two, the “immediate dance,” Kinney and Armstrong earned a second set of good scores.

So what was this “immediate dance?” Every star needed to blindly draw a dance type and was then given the music they must carry out to for the judges and followers. They’d solely 5 minutes to alter in costumes, hearken to the music and put together a routine.

Ultimately, the mixed judges’ scores and viewers’ voting on-line noticed basketball star Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach get eradicated.

“I had a tremendous expertise,” Howard stated.

Karagach added, “Lots of people stated we could not do it, and we did it. And for me, that is a win.”

The 5 {couples} to make the semifinals for subsequent week within the quest for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy: Danny Amendola and Witney Carson; Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson; Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten; Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong; and Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold.

“Dancing with the Stars” airs Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+.

Initially appeared on E! On-line

Skai Jackson’s complete world is changin’ and turnin’ round. 

In any case, the “Jessie” alum shared she is pregnant and anticipating her first child along with her boyfriend, whom she has not publicly named.

“I am thrilled to start this new chapter in my life — embracing motherhood and diving into new performing initiatives,” Jackson advised Individuals in an announcement on Tuesday. “My coronary heart is so full!”

In a collection of photographs, the 22-year-old was seen strolling down the road in a white, false-collar half-shirt over a white bandeau along with her child bump on full show. She completed off the look with light-wash denims, black heels, sun shades and a cheetah-print purse.

Her announcement comes two weeks after she sparked being pregnant rumors throughout an outing in Los Angeles. In photographs obtained by a number of shops, the “Bunk’d” star was outdoors in a white flannel shirt, white tank prime and grey shorts. As Jackson stood along with her hand resting on her abdomen within the snaps, followers speculated that she was anticipating. Nonetheless, she by no means addressed the rumors.

PHOTOS: 2024 Celeb Infants

However as she steps into this subsequent chapter, Jackson has a robust feminine function mannequin to look to: Her mother Kiya Cole, who was seen alongside her within the being pregnant debut.

“She’s at all times stored me humble,” she advised E! Information in April. “I really feel like when you could have that nice assist system, you can not go flawed.” 

And though it has been practically a decade since “Jessie” wrapped, her Disney household might need an opportunity to fulfill her baby sooner or later as they continue to be in touch at any time when attainable.

“I really feel like we’re all dwelling several types of lives,” she defined. “Numerous us do not even dwell in the identical state so it is arduous to see one another. However they’re doing so many superb, nice issues that I am actually pleased with them. We positively inspect one another.” 

And when she appears to be like again at her time as a baby star, Jackson has solely fond recollections.

“For me, I had an ideal expertise,” she added. “I acquired to study lots being within the business at a younger age, with the ability to have alternatives I really feel like in all probability the common child would not be capable to.”

PHOTOS: Zenon Woman of the twenty first Century

Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly’s household is rising! The 38-year-old actress introduced on Instagram on Nov. 11 that she is anticipating a child along with her fiancé.

CALGARY – Anthony Mantha sera opéré jeudi pour une blessure au ligament croisé antérieur du genou et sa saison est terminée, ont annoncé les Flames de Calgary lundi.

L’attaquant de 30 ans a récolté sept factors (quatre buts, trois passes) et maintenu un différentiel de +6 en 13 matchs à sa première saison avec les Flames. Il avait accepté un contrat d’un an d’une valeur de 3,5 thousands and thousands $ avec Calgary à titre de joueur autonome sans compensation le 1er juillet.

Mantha s’est blessé en première période lors de l’affrontement contre les Canadiens de Montréal au Centre Bell, le 5 novembre.

Choix de première ronde (20e) des Purple Wings de Detroit au repêchage de 2013, Mantha totalise 303 factors (146 buts, 157 passes) en 507 matchs de saison régulière avec les Flames, les Golden Knights de Vegas, les Capitals de Washington et les Purple Wings, ainsi que six mentions d’aide en 14 rencontres de séries éliminatoires.

Hey, Jessie! Do you’ve got any availability to babysit once more? Former Disney Channel star and soon-to-be horror actress Skai Jackson tells Individuals she’s pregnant together with her first youngster together with her boyfriend, who has not been recognized publicly. “I’m thrilled to start this new chapter in my life — embracing motherhood and diving into new appearing tasks. My coronary heart is so full!” the star exclaims within the announcement. Subsequent month, her upcoming movie The Man within the White Van transitions her into the darker horror style and out of the spooky childhood stardom. Okay, perhaps it gained’t be that massive of a transition, however it’s positively a change from feelin’ like a celebration on daily basis.

The couple’s completely satisfied information comes months after extra surprising relationship stories. In August, Jackson was arrested for home violence in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, shortly after Jackson was launched from the arrest, the couple denied any bodily altercation and mentioned it was a misunderstanding. She was not charged with a misdemeanor. Within the unique report from TMZ, the 2 claimed to be in a cheerful relationship, engaged and pregnant with their first youngster, however neither was confirmed then. If anybody was searching for extra relationship tea from Jackson, she posted on Instagram with a delicate warning: “Buzz off, you freak!”