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  • Microsoft admits to Intune forgetfulness • The Register

    Microsoft admits to Intune forgetfulness • The Register

    Microsoft Intune administrators may face a few days of stress after Redmond acknowledged a problem with security baseline customizations.

    The problem? Those customizations might not be saved during the update process, and the current workaround is to manually reapply customizations after updating baseline policies.

    Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management service that allows organizations to manage fleets of devices, including configuration and updates. Many admins use Intune for patch and policy management as an alternative to on-premises tools like Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), which was noted as being “no longer in development” with the release of Windows Server 2025.

    The biz also has Microsoft Configuration Manager, which has its roots in the venerable Systems Management Server of the 1990s and is an on-premises product to manage a wide variety of products, including servers. The two are sometimes used together.

    A security baseline in Intune is a template consisting of configuration settings. Microsoft generally issues a default baseline with recommended values, and an administrator can then tweak those values (or not) depending on the needs of their organization. However, those values not being maintained during the update process is less than ideal, particularly if there are a lot of customizations.

    The new problem occurs if an administrator customizes the security baseline, and “affects customers who are updating their baseline version to a more recent version. For example, updating the security baseline from version 23H2 to version 24H2.” Microsoft, it appears, knows best, and the changes will be discarded in favor of the Microsoft-recommended defaults. This is fine for administrators who are happy to blithely accept whatever Microsoft sets as a default, but it is not so good for organizations that want to make their own tweaks.

    The current workaround is also a pain – “While we work on the fix,” said the Redmond gang, “we recommend that admins manually reapply their customizations after updating their baseline policies.”

    Reports of administrators rolling their eyes so hard that the Earth has shifted slightly on its axis are likely exaggerated. ®

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  • Sun Exposure Risks Brought to Light During UV Safety Awareness Month

    Sun Exposure Risks Brought to Light During UV Safety Awareness Month

    As many Americans prepare for outdoor Fourth of July celebrations, the start of UV Safety Awareness Month serves as a timely reminder to take protective measures against sun exposure during the holiday and beyond.

    July is UV Safety Awareness Month, highlighting the growing risks of UV radiation and encouraging the use of protective measures to reduce sun-related health threats. | Image Credit: Nass Studio – stock.adobe.com

    Understanding UV Radiation and Its Risks

    UV Safety Awareness Month is observed each July as summer intensifies across the Northern Hemisphere.1 The initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage individuals to take proactive steps to protect themselves from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

    Invisible to the naked eye, UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation composed of high-energy waves that can damage DNA and cause sunburns. Although the sun is the primary source, artificial sources such as tanning beds also emit UV radiation.

    There are 2 main types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are longer and penetrate deeper into the skin, contributing to premature aging and wrinkles. In contrast, UVB rays are shorter and primarily responsible for sunburn. Roughly 95% of UV rays that reach the Earth’s surface are UVA, with the remaining 5% being UVB.2

    At this year’s American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, experts highlighted how air pollution has intensified UV exposure.3 Chlorofluorocarbons, in particular, contribute to climate change by acting as potent greenhouse gases and damaging the stratospheric ozone layer, allowing more UV radiation to reach the Earth’s surface.

    The Health Impact of UV Exposure

    In addition to causing sunburn and premature aging, UV exposure is a leading cause of skin cancer, the most common cancer type in the US.4 It is estimated that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

    The 3 main skin cancer types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.1 Basal cell carcinoma is the most common, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically grows slowly and can often be treated effectively with surgery or radiation. Squamous cell carcinoma makes up around 20% of cases and commonly develops on sun-exposed areas of the body, like the face, hands, and neck.

    Although melanoma makes up only about 4% of skin cancer cases, it is the most serious type due to its aggressive nature. If not detected and treated early, melanoma can quickly metastasize to other parts of the body. As a result, survival rates exceed 99% when the cancer is caught early and still localized, but they fall to 75% with regional spread and 35% when it reaches distant sites.5

    Excessive UV exposure can also lead to serious eye conditions, namely cataracts and pterygium, both of which can impair vision.2 Additionally, UV radiation can weaken the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to fight off certain infections and diseases.

    Effective Ways to Minimize UV Damage

    According to Weill Cornell Medicine, the amount of UV exposure a person receives depends on the strength of the rays, the duration of skin exposure, and the presence of any protective measures.

    To minimize sun exposure and reduce the risk of UV-related skin damage, it is recommended to seek shade as often as possible, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun’s rays are strongest. If outside in the sun, individuals should wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

    It is also recommended to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.4 The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention advises applying at least 1 ounce, or a palmful, of sunscreen every 2 hours, and more frequently if you are sweating or swimming.2

    References

    1. July is UV Safety Month. Skin and Cancer Institute. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://skinandcancerinstitute.com/july-is-uv-safety-month/
    2. UV Safety Awareness Month. Weill Cornell Medicine. July 22, 2021. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://weillcornell.org/news/uv-safety-awareness-month
    3. McCormick B. Climate change, pollution’s growing impact on dermatology. AJMC®. March 10, 2025. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/climate-change-pollution-s-growing-impact-on-dermatology
    4. Skin cancer. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer
    5. Steinzor P. 5 things you should know about skin cancer. AJMC. May 2, 2025. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/5-things-you-should-know-about-skin-cancer

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  • Microbe ‘Flavors’ Tell Octopuses Which Babies Deserve Their Care : ScienceAlert

    Microbe ‘Flavors’ Tell Octopuses Which Babies Deserve Their Care : ScienceAlert

    Octopuses can taste with their arms, and a new study reveals that specifically, they’re tasting chemical cues from microbes that grow on the surface of objects like dead crabs and living octopus eggs. These ‘flavors’, it turns out, can signal which prey is worth pursuing, or which egg isn’t going to make it.

    Octopus arms bristle with neurons that inform these fascinating animals’ behaviors, sometimes even independently of their brains. Sensory receptors in their arms enable them to ‘taste by touch’, which is essential to how they decide what to nurture, what to hunt, and what isn’t worth their time.

    That’s important information for these opportunistic hunters, who forage mainly at night and in shadowy crevices.

    “If a microbial strain could activate a receptor, then it could generate a neural signal that tells the octopus: This is something I care about,” says Harvard University biochemist Rebecka Sepela, who led the research.

    Related: Male Octopuses Stun Females With Venom to Survive Mating, Study Finds

    “The microbiome is acting almost like a chemical translator. It integrates environmental signals – like changes in temperature or nutrient levels – and outputs molecules that inform the octopus how to behave.”

    Proving this to be the case was an ambitious mission. The team isolated 295 different strains of bacteria from ‘biologically meaningful’ surfaces in the natural environments of wild-caught California two-spot octopuses (Octopus bimaculoides). Those meaningful surfaces included food and family: the shells of fiddler crabs (Leptuca pugilator), and egg casings of the octopus’s own offspring.

    A) A two-spot octopus alongside the two ‘biologically meaningful’ surfaces of its life: crab (food) and egg cases (offspring). B) Scanning electron microscope images of the bacteria on each surface. C) Bacterial composition of each surface, by phylum. (Sepela et al., Cell, 2025)

    “Those microbes produce molecules that allow the octopus to tell the difference,” Sepela says. “Microbes are chemical factories. They constantly take in environmental cues and produce molecules that reflect their surroundings.”

    The shells of living crabs, for instance, are surprisingly sterile, while those of decaying crabs are quickly colonized by a dense tapestry of bacteria.

    Octopus egg casings tended to by a mother octopus have a curated balance of microbes, but when discarded, this is thrown off by an overgrowth of spiral-shaped bacteria.

    The screening – in which Sepela’s team painstakingly tested how octopus sensory receptors reacted to each of the nearly 300 strains – revealed that just a few of these microbes, found on decaying prey or unhealthy eggs, activated the octopuses’ receptors.

    illustration showing an octopus with one arm touching a crab and molecules from its microbiome, and another arm touching egg casings and the molecules from those.
    Octopuses can ‘taste’ their environment through touch, enabling them to sense bacterial signals. (Sepela et al., Cell, 2025)

    To test these signals in action, octopuses who were actively brooding a clutch of eggs were given a collection of egg mimics, some marred with the spiral bacteria. The octopuses tended to these false eggs for a while, except for those bacterially marked as ‘bad eggs’, which were quickly discarded.

    The researchers were even able to identify which specific molecules the octopuses responded to. This chemical ‘language’ is enabled by molecules that, despite the submarine environment, are not readily washed away from the surface on which they are formed.

    While the research focuses on octopuses, Sepela and her colleagues believe this sort of chemical signaling may apply to many other kinds of microbiomes; even our own.

    “This might seem like a very specific case… but what we’re seeing is actually a general rule about how organisms sense microbiomes,” says Harvard cell physiologist Nicholas Bellono.

    “Across life, evolution, and organ systems, microbes are essential – and this study shows another example of how deeply they influence physiology and behavior.”

    This research was published in Cell.

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  • Telephone surveys: a resource for NCD and risk factor surveillance – PAHO/WHO

    Telephone surveys: a resource for NCD and risk factor surveillance – PAHO/WHO

    Register here

    Join us on Thursday, July 17th, 2025, at 11:00 am (EDT) on the webinar Telephone surveys: a resource for NCD and risk factor surveillance, to discuss how telephone surveys can offer a scalable and adaptable approach to generating timely, policy-relevant NCD and risk factors data that can drive effective public health action across the Americas.The webinar is hosted by the Noncommunicable Diseases, Violence, and Injuries Prevention Unit at PAHO´s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. 

    Objectives of the webinar

    • Highlight the role of surveillance as an essential public health function that guides the health system response to the burden of NCDs.
    • Showcase the use of telephone surveys as a flexible and key tool to monitor NCDs access to care, and health system response.
    • Share lessons learned from the experiences of Brazil (Vigitel) and Uruguay (RaMPS) in implementing telephone-based surveillance systems and leveraging the data to inform decision-making.
    • Discuss policy actions to integrate flexible and rapid tools, such as telephone surveys, into a comprehensive NCD surveillance system.

    The session is aimed primarily at Ministry of Health NCD focal points; mental health focal points; professionals working on health statistics, epidemiology, surveillance, planning and evaluation; representatives from subnational level health entities from countries of the Americas. It also can be useful for representatives of civil society organizations, academia and agencies interested in surveillance and monitoring of NCDs and their risk factors.

    HOW TO PARTICIPATE

    Agenda

    • 11:00 am – Welcome
    • 11:05 am – Opening remarks
      • Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., Director, PAHO/WHO (video message)
    • 11:10 am – Setting the scene: Why are flexible and timely tools needed for measuring NCDs?
      • Roberta Caixeta, Advisor, NCD surveillance, prevention and control, PAHO/WHO
    • 11:25 am – Keynote speaker: Monitoring access to NCD quality of care
      • Tom Frieden, President and CEO of the Resolve to Save Lives
    • 11:40 am – Spotlight:
      • Vigitel: two decades of monitoring NCD risk factors and adapting to Brazil’s evolving data needs
        • Letícia de Oliveira Cardoso, Director of DAENT/SVSA, Ministry of Health from Brazil
      • RaMPS in Uruguay: measuring the implementation of front of package labelling policies at the population level
    • 12:10 pm – Questions and answers
    • 12:35 pm – Closing remarks
      • Anselm Hennis, Director, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, PAHO

    Background

    Surveillance is an essential public health function that provides critical data to monitor the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), measure risk factors and social determinants of health, and assess targeted interventions. It enables evidence-based policy implementation, guides prevention, control, and disease management strategies, and plays a key role in evaluating interventions. Surveillance also promotes cost-effective resource allocation and strengthens health system capacity.

    Within the NCD surveillance toolbox, telephone surveys are a valuable method for efficient, cost-effective data collection. Their flexibility allows for rapid deployment and adaptation to country-specific needs, making them key for ongoing surveillance. During public health crises, timely data from telephone surveys can be crucial for enabling swift responses, particularly in assessing the quality of care for NCDs.

    The use of telephone surveys to monitor NCD risk factors has been successful and operational in the Americas for over two decades in Brazil with the Vigitel survey and in the United States with the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Originally designed to track trends in NCD risk factors, these surveys have evolved, expanding their scope and adapting to specific data needs to inform policy decisions and guide interventions.

    PAHO/WHO launched the Rapid Mobile Phone Survey (RaMPS) initiative in 2020 as a tool to complement the NCD surveillance toolbox by measuring policies and interventions at the population level. RaMPS has the potential to provide timely and reliable data on the implementation of the NCD Best Buys by supporting national legislative processes providing data on population behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, practices regarding risk factors exposure and protective measures. RaMPS also helps assess barriers to healthcare access, the quality of care, and can offer critical data during public health crises. Currently 8 countries in the Americas (Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Bolivia, Honduras, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Suriname and Uruguay) have implemented RaMPS at least once.

    As countries continue to strengthen their NCD surveillance capacity, telephone surveys offer a scalable and adaptable approach to generating timely, policy-relevant data that can drive effective public health action across the Americas.

    Time in other cities

    • 10:00 a.m. – Los Angeles, Vancouver
    • 11:00 a.m. – Belmopan, Guatemala City, Managua, Mexico City, San José (CR), San Salvador, Tegucigalpa
    • 12:00 p.m. – Bogotá, Panama City, Kingston, Lima, Quito
    • 1:00 pm. – Bridgetown, Caracas, Georgetown, Havana, La Paz, Port of Spain, Port-au-Prince, Nassau, Ottawa, San Juan, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Washington D.C.,
    • 2:00 p.m. – Asunción, Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Montevideo, Paramaribo
    • 7:00 p.m. – Geneva, Madrid

    For other cities, please check the local time on this link.

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  • ‘Squid Game’ Third Season Breaks Netflix Records in Win for Korea – Bloomberg.com

    1. ‘Squid Game’ Third Season Breaks Netflix Records in Win for Korea  Bloomberg.com
    2. Squid Game season three divides viewers as bleak themes hit home  BBC
    3. Squid Game Season 3’s Final Scene Reveals [SPOILER] as the American Recruiter  Netflix
    4. ‘Squid Game 3’ Shocker: What That Oscar-Winner’s Cameo Hints at for Franchise’s Future  Variety
    5. Seoul marks ‘Squid Game’ final season with cosplay parade  The Express Tribune

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  • France shuts schools, Italy limits work outdoors in 'exceptional' European heatwave – Reuters

    1. France shuts schools, Italy limits work outdoors in ‘exceptional’ European heatwave  Reuters
    2. Thousands flee wildfires in Turkiye as Europe is hit by early heatwave  Dawn
    3. Italy limits outdoor work as heatwave breaks records across Europe  The Guardian
    4. The Eiffel Tower is closed to tourists due to searing heat. Here’s why it’s happening  CNN
    5. Spain and England record hottest June as heatwave grips Europe  BBC

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  • An enormous ‘X’ and ‘V’ will grace the moon’s surface on July 2. Here’s how to see them

    An enormous ‘X’ and ‘V’ will grace the moon’s surface on July 2. Here’s how to see them

    The nights surrounding the first quarter moon phase on June 2 present a good opportunity to spot colossal ‘X’ and ‘V’ features emblazoned on the lunar surface.

    This month’s first quarter phase occurs at 11:41 p.m. EDT on June 2 (0341 GMT on June 3), at which time the right side of the half-lit lunar disk will be illuminated by direct sunlight from the perspective of viewers in the northern hemisphere on Earth.

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  • Get an inside look with Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

    Get an inside look with Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

    But wait, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is an interactive experience packed with trivia, design secrets, and minigames that show off the new system features. If you’re the type of person who is curious about technology, product design, and all the little details that go into making something, this might be a tour for you!

    Go over the system’s features…literally

    Welcome to the exhibition hall…which happens to look like a GIANT Nintendo Switch 2 system. As your character walks on top of the system (and eventually inside it), you can access fun little facts and secrets. For example, did you know:

    • That the rumble in your controller is created when magnets and electromagnets shift a little weight around? This is similar to how some trains use magnets to levitate, allowing them to move at extremely high speeds.

    • The mouse sensor is a black-and-white camera with a resolution of a handful of pixels…which is even fewer than the old Game Boy™ Camera! These sensors check the surface they’re on to see the direction and distance they’ve moved. This is then translated into mouse movement.

    • Some Nintendo Switch 2 games support a process called super resolution. This is when the Nintendo Switch 2 console’s main computer performs machine-learning calculations and predicts what kind of detailed picture it should draw. This results in a clearer, more detailed picture.

    • The Nintendo Switch 2 dock has rounded edges for a reason! It’s so the release buttons on the Joy-Con 2™ controllers are easier to reach.

    If you enjoy reading these little nuggets of knowledge, there are plenty more facts like these in the full game.

    Minigames and experiences

    Sometimes the best way of learning is by doing, err, playing. There are several minigames that relate to the tech that you explore in the exhibits. These minigames include guiding a UFO through spiked balls with mouse controls, trying to guess shapes by using HD rumble 2, and more. And if you’re not one to back down from a challenge, some minigames have multiple difficulties that change up the conditions. Think you can guide a UFO through spiked balls while catching stars? It’s gonna take some quick reflexes!

    Finally, there are other experiences called tech demos. For example, you can test out the noise reduction features of the system microphone or experience 3D spatial sound capabilities. There’s even one demo where you gently shake the Joy-Con 2 controllers like maracas and have the rumble feature simulate the feeling of beads inside. You’re never quite sure what you’ll find next!

    Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is out now—if you’d like to learn more about the game, please visit the link below to learn more.

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  • The #1 Dairy Product to Help Lower Blood Pressure

    The #1 Dairy Product to Help Lower Blood Pressure

    Key Points

    • Swiss cheese is blood pressure–friendly thanks to its lower sodium content and excellent calcium offerings.
    • Swiss cheese also has unique bioactive peptides that have been shown to lower blood pressure. 
    • Enjoy Swiss cheese in a hearty salad or pair it with whole-grain crackers or a piece of fruit.

    When we think of the best foods to help lower blood pressure, dairy usually doesn’t come to mind. But if there’s one blood pressure–friendly cheese that experts recommend, it’s Swiss. 

    Swiss cheese, known for its “eyes” (or holes) and mildly sweet and nutty flavor, has healthy properties that might help support better blood pressure levels, says Sheri Gaw, RDN, CDCES. Here, we dive into the research behind Swiss cheese’s heart-healthy properties, plus how to incorporate the cheese into a balanced diet plan.

    Why Swiss Cheese Is the #1 Dairy Product to Lower Blood Pressure

    Low in Sodium

    Cutting back on sodium is one of the best ways to help lower your blood pressure. And if cheese is a beloved part of your daily diet, swapping some higher-sodium options for Swiss is a smart way to sustain a balanced and enjoyable eating plan. And it’s not hard to do. Swiss is one of the lowest-sodium cheese options out there, says Gaw. A 1-ounce serving of Swiss cheese contains about 52 milligrams of sodium, or 2% of the Daily Value. Compare that to 1 ounce of Cheddar, which has about 185 mg, or 8% of the DV.  

    Great Source of Calcium

    While dairy is often associated with causing heart issues, research shows that calcium in dairy foods such as Swiss cheese does not increase blood pressure or risk for hypertension, says Gaw: “In fact, it may reduce the risk of stroke.” Swiss cheese is a stellar source of calcium—1 ounce provides about 20% of the DV. 

    Contains Bioactive Peptides

    We know protein helps keep you satiated and supports muscle mass, but research suggests that the protein in cheese is also a good source of bioactive peptides, which may benefit blood pressure. Swiss cheese, specifically, contains two peptides—Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro—that have been shown to have anti-hypertensive effects. However, more research needs to be done to nail down the amount of cheese it takes to reap these health benefits.

    How to Enjoy Swiss Cheese

    Swiss is delicious as a standalone snack, and it’s just as great paired with other foods or in recipes. Here are a few tasty ways to enjoy Swiss:

    • Pair it with fruit: Gaw recommends pairing a slice of Swiss cheese with fruit for a low-sodium snack. Any fruit works, but we especially like apples for the flavor combo. “This snack is also good for blood pressure and blood sugar, thanks to its dose of calcium, protein, potassium and fiber,” Gaw says. 
    • Try it in a sandwich: Gaw recommends stacking a grilled chicken sandwich with a slice of Swiss cheese, lettuce and slices of tomatoes and avocado. “This snack can be part of the Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary patterns, which help lower blood pressure,” adds Gaw.
    • Add it to a salad: Swiss adds protein and calcium, plus umami flavor, to a bowl of greens. Try this Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas recipe. 
    • Pair it with crackers: Gaw recommends pairing Swiss cheese with whole-grain crackers for an energy boost that promotes blood sugar and blood pressure management.

    Other Strategies to Lower Blood Pressure

    Swapping out high-sodium cheeses for Swiss can help reduce your sodium intake. Here are some other ways to help support healthier blood pressure levels:

    • Use herbs and spices: Lean on garlic, ginger, basil and oregano instead of salt to lower sodium intake and reduce blood pressure, says Gaw. A review found that garlic is associated with reduced blood pressure and cholesterol in those with and without chronic high blood pressure.
    • Eat more plants: Plant-forward eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and DASH diet, can help to lower blood pressure, adds Gaw. Research shows these diets are more promising for lowering blood pressure than just salt restriction alone.
    • Cut back on alcohol: Drinking too much (which means more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women) can spike your blood pressure. Cutting back on wine, beer, liquor and other alcohol can help lower your numbers and support your overall heart health. 
    • Get regular exercise: Finding an exercise you love can help you move more and, therefore, lower your blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends strength training at least two days a week and 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity cardio each week. 

    Our Expert Take

    Swiss cheese is significantly lower in sodium than many other cheeses, and eating less sodium can help lower blood pressure. Swiss is an excellent source of calcium and has unique bioactive peptides (found in the proteins), which research suggests may also help lower your blood pressure. Adding Swiss to a hearty salad or pairing it with high-fiber fruit and crackers is a smart way to enjoy this nutritious dairy snack.

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  • Trump and Musk’s feud blows up again with threats of Doge and deportation | US politics

    Trump and Musk’s feud blows up again with threats of Doge and deportation | US politics

    Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s feud reignited this week with the former political allies trading sharp public threats of retribution. The blowup, centered around Musk’s opposition to Trump’s signature tax bill as it moves through Congress, ends a period of rapprochement between two of the world’s most powerful men.

    Musk posted escalating attacks against the big, beautiful bill on his social media platform X, calling the legislation “insane” and vowing to form a new political party if it passed late Monday. In response, Trump claimed he could “look into” deporting the South Africa-born billionaire, while also suggesting he could cut government subsidies for Musk’s companies or set the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) on its former leader.

    “Doge is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn’t that be terrible?” Trump asked reporters on Tuesday.

    Musk’s attempt to derail the tax bill was a major factor in his falling out with the president last month, and the Tesla CEO’s renewed offensive comes at a sensitive time as Trump seeks to shepherd the legislation through Congress. The fight could test Musk’s political influence over the Republican party as he seeks to peel away votes for the bill, as well as further deteriorate his once-close relationship with Trump.

    Musk has repeatedly criticized Trump’s sweeping policy bill for its potential to nullify the cuts to the federal government he made through Doge and for the likelihood it will add trillions to the national debt, which he has warned will “bankrupt America” and imperil his dream of reaching Mars. Musk, a top Republican megadonor, intensified his campaign in recent days with threats that he would form his own “America Party” and target lawmakers in upcoming elections who voted for the bill in 2026 primary elections.

    “Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!” Musk posted. “They will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth”.

    Trump has rejected Musk’s criticisms of the bill, alleging that the Tesla CEO’s opposition is because the bill would end a tax credit for consumers purchasing electric vehicles.

    “Elon’s very upset that the EV mandate is gonna be terminated,” Trump said on Tuesday. “Not everybody wants an electric car. I don’t want an electric car.”

    When a reporter asked if Trump is considering deporting Musk, he responded that he didn’t know but would “take a look”. Musk replied to a video of the statement on X, saying “so tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.” Trump bought a Tesla in March.

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    Trump’s remarks were a stark turnaround from only months ago when he hosted a showcase for Tesla on the White House lawn in front of media, during which he encouraged his supporters to buy Musk’s cars and sat in the driver’s seat of a red Model S sedan. In contrast, Trump threatened this week that he could destroy Musk’s businesses.

    “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday. “No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE.”

    Musk’s companies, especially SpaceX, are closely intertwined with US government agencies and have received billions of dollars in contracts from them. The government has meanwhile come to rely on SpaceX for key parts of its space travel and satellite communications programs, and the company is being considered for a role in building a new multibillion dollar missile defense program. The symbiotic relationship between Musk and the government has made any political tensions sensitive for his businesses, and Tesla’s share price declined on Monday and Tuesday as the feud continued.

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