Megan Basham
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
Though Assad was by no means a good leader, he and his father before him did keep the region relatively stable. And those who opposed the U.S. meddling and trying to unseat him were concerned about these very kinds of alternatives. In fact, when President Trump first ran for office in 2016, he criticized Hillary Clinton over her support for arming anti-Assad rebel groups.
Though Assad was by no means a good leader, he and his father before him did keep the region relatively stable. And those who opposed the U.S. meddling and trying to unseat him were concerned about these very kinds of alternatives. In fact, when President Trump first ran for office in 2016, he criticized Hillary Clinton over her support for arming anti-Assad rebel groups.
This is what he told CNN at the time.
This is what he told CNN at the time.
And to that point, Syria's new president, Ahmad al-Sharra, who replaced Assad, is himself a former Islamic State and al-Qaeda terrorist.
And to that point, Syria's new president, Ahmad al-Sharra, who replaced Assad, is himself a former Islamic State and al-Qaeda terrorist.
The U.N. is calling for immediate action to protect civilians, and the U.S. has condemned the killings, specifically blaming radical Islamic terrorists. More pointed, the Israeli defense minister said Shara is showing his true face as a jihadist, though Shara denies this. He said these killings are a threat to his plan to bring unity to Syria.
The U.N. is calling for immediate action to protect civilians, and the U.S. has condemned the killings, specifically blaming radical Islamic terrorists. More pointed, the Israeli defense minister said Shara is showing his true face as a jihadist, though Shara denies this. He said these killings are a threat to his plan to bring unity to Syria.
But he has not yet acted to bring those loyalists who are acting in his name to heel.
But he has not yet acted to bring those loyalists who are acting in his name to heel.
Well, you know, I think what you're seeing is some careful PR management surrounding a program that has been significantly slowed down by the courts and has become a key target for Democrats. I think some of that has spooked Republican lawmakers. Reportedly, the president has been hearing from them.
Well, you know, I think what you're seeing is some careful PR management surrounding a program that has been significantly slowed down by the courts and has become a key target for Democrats. I think some of that has spooked Republican lawmakers. Reportedly, the president has been hearing from them.
And then last Thursday, he posted on Truth Social that these cuts are going to be made using a scalpel rather than a hatchet. And he also stressed that the cabinet secretaries will be making the final calls on these cuts. And that's something that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized on Meet the Press on Sunday.
And then last Thursday, he posted on Truth Social that these cuts are going to be made using a scalpel rather than a hatchet. And he also stressed that the cabinet secretaries will be making the final calls on these cuts. And that's something that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized on Meet the Press on Sunday.
But at the same time that Trump is being careful to note that Musk is only advising, and we want to be clear, presidents have every right to call on private sector advisors, he's also touting the waste, fraud, and abuse that Musk's team has identified. This is what he told Fox yesterday.
But at the same time that Trump is being careful to note that Musk is only advising, and we want to be clear, presidents have every right to call on private sector advisors, he's also touting the waste, fraud, and abuse that Musk's team has identified. This is what he told Fox yesterday.
Trump added that Musk has convinced him that some government departments do need to see deep cuts as much as 50 to 70 percent.
Trump added that Musk has convinced him that some government departments do need to see deep cuts as much as 50 to 70 percent.
Where are we seeing those? So they're calling these Tesla takedown protests. And I'd say that none have been particularly large. You're mostly hearing about gatherings of hundreds, but they are actually happening all across the country and they're getting substantial media attention. Now, part of that is because some pretty high profile people are participating in these rallies.
Where are we seeing those? So they're calling these Tesla takedown protests. And I'd say that none have been particularly large. You're mostly hearing about gatherings of hundreds, but they are actually happening all across the country and they're getting substantial media attention. Now, part of that is because some pretty high profile people are participating in these rallies.