- Kyle Cheney @ Politico: Who’s in charge of DOGE? Not Elon Musk, White House says
A Trump administration personnel official says Musk has “no actual or formal authority to make government decisions.”
- Andrew Prokop @ Vox: Why Trump’s second term agenda is so wildly different from his first
While Trump’s first administration was heavily influenced by traditional Republican figures, his second one is far more influenced by a burgeoning new establishment — a very online one.
- Colby Hall @ Mediaite: Fox News Host’s Admission Reveals Exactly How the MAGA Media Ecosystem Works — And Undermines Network’s Standing
Jesse Watters appeared to let the cat out of the bag Monday afternoon during an episode of The Five, revealing precisely how the pro-Trump MAGA media ecosystem effectively operates. But while he may not have intended to, his description ended up being a pretty stunning indictment of Fox News’ standing as a news outlet along the way.
- Hemant Mehta @ Friendly Atheist: Oklahoma lawmaker: I don't want "pink-haired" atheists teaching the Bible in schools
State Sen. David Bullard wants to force the Bible into classrooms. He just doesn't want atheist teachers having a say in how it's taught.
- Edith Olmstead @ The New Republic: Trump Pressures Romania on Andrew Tate in Stunning New Low
The Trump administration is harassing Romania about easing up on the far-right misogynist accused of sex trafficking.
- Angry White Men: Joel Webbon: ‘Under Christian Nationalism’ There Will Be ‘No Female Leadership Ever’
In a Friday livestream, white Christian nationalist Joel Webbon and his co-hosts complained about women having abortions, using birth control, and holding positions of power. Webbon also declared that when Christian nationalists take control, “at least for the next 50 years in all Western countries, there will be no female leadership ever in any sphere of human society whatsoever.”
- Asawin Suebsaeng @ Rolling Stone: Trump Publicly Admits He Thinks He Can Break Any Law He Wants
On Saturday afternoon, during Presidents Day weekend, the twice-impeached president and convicted felon was, to his credit, honest about it: He believes he’s allowed to break any law he wants.
