Donald Trump's media group and Tesla, the electric carmaker owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, are among an increasing number of companies buying huge amounts of bitcoin.
Also in today’s newsletter, Beijing demands Chinese tech giants justify buying Nvidia chips, and White House downplays expectations for Trump-Putin summit
Relations between the two tech bosses have soured amid a slew of lawsuits and social media digs.
If approved by the energy watchdog Ofgem, it would allow the US firm to take on the UK's dominant suppliers.
'Musk Fictions' (6/6). Since 2024 and his opportunistic support for Donald Trump, American billionaire Elon Musk has increasingly cited the 20th-century novelist Ayn Rand, the apostle of rational selfishness and capitalism.
'Musk Fictions' (5/6). The British author of 'The Lord of the Rings' is a source of inspiration that the billionaire openly claims for his 'civilizational survival' projects.
Pierre-Edouard Stérin is said to be spending hundreds of millions of Euros in an attempt to ‘revive France’
'Musk fictions' (4/6). The American novelist, known for his prolific body of work centered on determinism and evolution, holds a prominent place in the personal pantheon of the SpaceX founder.
Katie Miller, wife of Stephen Miller, the president’s right-hand man, has announced she is leaving Elon Musk’s employment to start a podcast competitor to Call Her Daddy
Billionaire owner outlines plans to improve advertising on social media platform in rare overture to marketers
'Musk Fictions' (3/6). The ideal library of the SpaceX founder features the bestsellers of the American novelist, delving into free love, libertarian revolt and unbridled space exploration.
The new restaurant from Elon Musk is a smash-burger and content machine, but it gets just about everything about being a diner wrong, our critic writes.
The news agency Reuters says it has reviewed court filings and found pressure on the Musk-run social media giant to take down posts, but not always succeeding.
'Musk Fictions' (2/6). In the late 2010s, the founder of SpaceX became fixated on the Marvel superhero Iron Man, viewing him as his fictional double.
Government employees will no longer be required to submit weekly “five things” memos to their supervisors, the agency that managed the program said.
Plus, the Trump sons launch a Maga Spac and shareholders question a $9bn artificial intelligence takeover
Also in today’s newsletter, Singapore tycoon pleads guilty in gifts scandal, and Tesla board awards $30bn of shares to Musk
'Musk Fictions' (1/6). The billionaire has long drawn inspiration from 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', Douglas Adams's cult sci-fi series about artificial intelligence, towels and the destruction of Earth.
Tesla's board hopes to retain Elon Musk amid a fight for tech talent in the sector.
The package was intended to help retain Elon Musk after a judge struck down a previous pay deal. Mr. Musk has hinted that he needs a larger stake in Tesla.
Judge rejected efforts by Elon Musk’s company to dismiss the case earlier in the summer
Elon Musk's car company must pay more than $200 million in damages. A federal jury found that Tesla bore significant responsibility because its Autopilot technology failed, a decision that throws the company into the spotlight amid Musk's efforts to convince Americans his cars are safe enough to drive on their own.
Donations during public spat cast doubt on billionaire’s proposal to start a rival party
State leaders fast-tracked plans by Mr. Musk’s company for a tunnel to Nashville’s airport, ignoring the city’s concerns.
The president has good news on growth and the economy as Elon Musk’s popularity plummets, Times poll shows
Crucial contract requires South Korean semiconductor business to address production issues and corporate culture
Elon Musk's Boring Company has plans for an 8 mile tunnel that would use Teslas to transport people. It's a privately funded development championed by state leaders.
Vice-President JD Vance, Elon Musk and others have commented on footage of a melee in the Ohio city.
Labour Court hears former Twitter executive is over €16,000 out of pocket each month since failure to sign Musk’s ‘hard core’ email saw his ousted
Valor Equity Partners founder challenged over spending too much time at government department formally run by Elon Musk
Slide comes after carmaker says second-quarter profits dropped by more than a fifth
E-rickshaws are overrunning Bangladeshi cities
Elon Musk's carmaker says a more affordable Tesla model is coming as it reports a steep drop in revenue.
Elon Musk’s carmaker reports results following consumer backlash
From Mark Zuckerberg to Elon Musk, the Palo Alto 'boys' club'
Elon Musk has said that robotaxis are the company’s future, but most revenue still comes from cars.
Elon Musk does not need to launch the “America party” — he already owns the tools to herd individuals into a critical mass
Elon Musk claimed the president was mentioned in the Epstein files, but how well did the two men really know each other?
Elon Musk’s EV giant has launched its Model Y in Mumbai, but its $70,000 price tag may be its biggest speed bump.
Secretive tech investment group has racked up gains after backing companies such as SpaceX and xAI
In the first tangible inroads Elon Musk has sought for years in India, Starlink passed a final regulatory hurdle and Tesla opened its first India store.
EU was expected to finalise its investigation before the bloc’s summer recess but will now miss this deadline
A jury in Florida can reshape the future of self-driving cars as it considers if Elon Musk’s company is to blame for 22-year-old’s death in crash
The contracts will enable the DoD to develop agentic AI workflows and use them to address critical national security challenges.
The deal is part of the Trump administration's push for more aggressive adoption of artificial intelligence in the government.
Abbott's office says the emails contain information that isn't the public's concern and is "intimate and embarrassing."
Inside the former social media CEO’s tumultuous partnership with the world’s richest man
Oliver Moody reports on the whistleblowers who lifted the lid on the ‘cultlike hell’ of the electric car giant’s gigafactories — and the safety record it tried to keep secret
Posts praising Hitler show the risks of accelerating the nascent technology with little stress testing and few guardrails
France probes X over foreign interference, as investigation closes in on Musk
Elon Musk and his AI have been busy. So has the TSA. And Amazon. Were you paying attention?
The huge premium in the company’s shares is an extreme version of Silicon Valley founder syndrome
The tech mogul made the changes to the home without the required city approvals. His neighbors said cars crowded the street waiting to get into the driveway gate Musk built, and that his side fencing was ugly.
Field tests have begun under an end-2024 deal with SpaceX's commercial broadband constellation allowing Elon Musk's company to launch direct-to-cell services in the war-torn country.
The top position at Elon Musk’s social-media platform is open once again
In a surprise move, Yaccarino says she is stepping from the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
The move shows how broadly Mr. Musk is casting about for advice. Mr. Yarvin has expressed support for a monarchy, along with provocative ideas about race.
Linda Yaccarino, chief executive of Elon Musk-owned social network X, announced her resignation on Wednesday, July 9, after two years in the position. Yaccarino did not give a reason for her departure, but she did note the company was entering 'a new chapter' following its recent acquisition by Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI.
Former NBCUniversal executive leaves Elon Musk’s social media platform after two years
Her exit comes at a difficult time for Musk who, in a brief reply, thanked her for her "contributions."
Incident follows the xAI bot sharing ‘white genocide’ tropes in response to unrelated questions
Series of posts repeatedly abused country’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, in comments on his career and personal life
Building a viable new political party to rival the Democrats and Republicans is enormously difficult and expensive. Small wonder it hasn’t been done.
Musk’s political ambition has spooked investors as the auto company reports a decrease in sales in the second quarter.
Billionaire’s latest intervention, which he claims is needed to combat ‘one-party system’, rattles investors
Musk breaks with Trump and launches America Party, hoping to attract US voters frustrated by polarization
"Third parties have never worked, so he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous," Trump told reporters.
The US president and Tesla boss were formerly close allies before a dramatic falling out in recent weeks.
With his money and online influence, Elon Musk is trying to gather disillusioned voters from both the Republicans and Democrats
Scott Bessent suggests Musk focus on business a day after tech billionaire announced his new political party
Musk said he's carrying out his threat to form a new political party after a falling out with Trump over the president's sweeping tax cuts law.
Musk criticises Trump’s tax bill as harmful to US economy
Billionaire investor offers no significant details but suggests key congressional races will be initial targets
The X and Tesla billionaire has taken his feud with the US president to a new level
The billionaire, who has publicly feuded with the president, wrote on social media that he would create “the America Party,” though he hadn’t yet filed paperwork.
Elon Musk says he has created a new US political party
Elon Musk said that the "American Party is formed", a day after asking his followers on X whether a new US political party should be created.
The world's richest man says he is setting up a new political organisation called the America Party.
The billionaire has had a bumpy year on the national level, but he remains one of the most powerful business and political figures in the state. Most of the laws he wanted passed in Texas this year made it through.
The fact that the spectrum allocations by government are being made without an auction has led to several concerns.
Billionaire’s political threats have not stopped the president’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ hurting the electric-car maker’s profits
NAACP plans to sue over massive Memphis data center near Black residents, who have long dealt with pollution
Trump insists that the new bill will save the US billions, but it has been criticised by his old ally Elon Musk.
“We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” he said, laughing as he added, "Wouldn't that be terrible?"
Deliveries down 13.5 per cent in second quarter as founder returns to the driver’s seat amid consumer backlash against his work for Donald Trump
Loss of satellite hampers monitoring of invisible gas driving significant share of global warming
Elon Musk's controversial role in the Trump administration has been blamed for the collapse in sales.
The company has devoted resources to autonomous driving rather than developing new models to attract car buyers.
The trail of lights seen above Beersheba on Monday was not caused by rockets from Gaza or missiles from Iran or Yemen as some residents feared, but rather satellites from Elon Musk's Starlink.
Tesla’s stock dropped 6 percent after Trump’s call for DOGE to look into cutting subsidies tied to Elon Musk.
Satya Nadell and Sam Altman are still talking — they’re not Trump and Musk — but tensions are evident as they start to renegotiate their partnership
Trump's comments come after billionaire Elon Musk renewed his criticism on Monday of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," vowing to unseat lawmakers who backed it.
Republican senator Thom Tillis renounces budget Bill as ‘massive mistake’, Musk vows to unseat legislators who support it
Rift between two men deepens as Musk criticises White House flagship tax bill
Tense scenes played out in the chamber as voting came to a standstill, dragging for hours as holdout senators huddled for negotiations during dramatic late session on Saturday. As the day dragged on, billionaire Elon Musk lashed out, calling the bill 'utterly insane and destructive.'
Dara Khosrowshahi is gearing up to bring autonomous vehicles to the capital. What does he make of Elon Musk’s ambitious predictions for the tech?
Omead Afshar departs electric vehicle maker as it contends with a steep slump in sales
Aoun invited Musk to visit Lebanon and said he was open to having Musk's companies present in the country, which ranks among the countries with the lowest internet speeds.
Even though the billionaire is no longer leading the Department of Government Efficiency effort, many key staffers — and DOGE ideas — are now more permanently embedded in the federal government.
Tesla’s European sales fall for a fifth month in a row as consumers turn to cheaper rivals amid a backlash against Elon Musk
Nik Storonsky struck deal before SoftBank funding round that awards him more shares if valuation clears set hurdles
Iran has asked the International Telecommunication Union to force SpaceX to deactivate “unauthorized devices” on its territory.
The vehicles will have safety monitors and may not operate in bad weather, making them more restricted than what was promised by Elon Musk.
Self-driving technology on which Elon Musk has staked the future of his company debuts in Texas
By subscribing to more than half of the €1.35 billion capital increase of the French satellite internet specialist Eutelsat, the French government will hold 29% of the group's capital, becoming its largest shareholder. Eutelsat is currently the only alternative to Elon Musk's American Starlink satellite constellation.
Earnings estimates for Elon Musk’s electric carmaker have been pared back but optimism remains over its foray into the robotaxi market
Foray into financial services could include introducing credit or debit card, CEO Linda Yaccarino says
The New York law requires social media companies to disclose how they monitor hate speech, extremism, and other contentious content.
The perils of bowing to those anointed as special
Investors undeterred by unravelling of billionaire’s relationship with Trump
You may soon find yourself paying with Musk-bucks or Jeff-coins. And with these, these tech giants could force users to transact only within their ecosystems, locking you into their currency.
Theirs wasn’t really a friendship at all but a more complex and primal bond
Britain’s prime minister reverses his position on the need for a national investigation into the abuse scandal, after criticism by Elon Musk.
Interest in the issue was pushed by far-right groups and Elon Musk and branded by critics as a racist dog whistle.
Elon Musk has billions of dollars and “40+ years” to shape the political world in his image. That’s why activists can’t stop now.
His partnership with Elon Musk is the Rosetta Stone
The confrontation is proof that national defence should not hinge on the decisions of private individuals
Around 10 French clients with leases on Teslas are suing the US carmaker, run by Elon Musk. They are demanding that the Paris commercial court order their lease contracts be terminated and legal costs reimbursed.
Elon Musk’s falling out with Donald Trump will not help
Lawsuit seeks termination of customers’ leases, alleging CEO has ‘tarnished’ brand
The billionaire says his posts went "too far".
The company’s fortunes, and share price, could be decided in large part by what the Federal Communications Commission does next
The fallout between the president and the world’s richest man revolves around a missile system that experts say is a total boondoggle.
Elon Musk reportedly physically brawled other officials in the White House before his messy departure from US President Donald Trump's inner circle.
Errol Musk was joined on the bill for Forum of the Future 2050 by George Galloway and Alex Jones, the conspiracy theorist
In a power struggle between a national leader and a billionaire, the politician always comes out on top
The president says his relationship with the tycoon is over after their epic social media feud
The meeting of company builder and monarch was never going to end well
Mr. Musk’s Starlink has brought the internet to some of South America’s most remote places. But Bolivia is shunning it, even as many there are desperate for better service.
Musk and Trump began exchanging insults this week, as Musk denounced Trump's bill as a "disgusting abomination."
The space agency has published its budget request to Congress which would see funding for science projects cut by nearly a half.
Trump spoke to NBC on Saturday after Musk deleted one of the explosive allegations he had made during their fallout, linking the president with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Party closes ranks after billionaire’s attacks on legislation prompt dramatic fall out with president
Experts say his tech empire needs more of Musk's attention - but also the continued custom of the government.
White House continues to navigate the fallout from a high-profile rupture with Musk, who slammed Trump’s budget bill.
Bank was close to lining up $5bn for artificial intelligence group when US president and billionaire attacked each other
The incentives for Mr Musk to make up with the president are powerful
The relationship between the American president and the head of SpaceX blew up on Thursday, just six days after the end of Musk's official mission. With insults, threats and accusations, the two men publicly aired their differences.
A Musk-Trump fight.
Elon Musk claimed Trump was mentioned in the Epstein files, but how well did the two men really know each other?
The tech billionaire took to his social media site, X, as the president expressed disappointment in his opposition to his spending bill.
The bromance might be over but Trump has kissed and made up with his enemies before. Enjoy it while it lasts
Plus, tips for healthy aging.
US president and world’s richest man trade insults as their alliance collapses
The two men traded sharp words from afar on Thursday, just days after the Tesla chief called the Republican's budget bill an 'abomination.'
Musk’s criticism underscores the divide among conservatives over the bill, which could ramp up US debt.
The world's richest man has called on voters to contact lawmakers and voice their opposition to the president's Big Beautiful Bill.
Tensions between Elon Musk and the president are escalating after the Tesla and SpaceX owner criticised the administration’s economic policy
The billionaire described the legislation, currently in the Senate, as a 'disgusting abomination' and criticized – without naming – the Republican members of the House of Representatives: 'Shame on those who voted for it: You know you did wrong.'
The tech billionaire, who donated almost $300 million to Trump's 2024 election campaign, was praised by the US president just last week as he exited his 'Department of Government Efficiency' advisory role, but on Tuesday, began calling out Trump's 'outrageous' Congressional spending bill on X.
Donald Trump’s budget bill faces Republican discord in Senate, where some lawmakers reject increase to US national debt.
Only days after leaving his position as government cost-cutter, the billionaire hit out against legislation expected to add trillions to national debt
Musk has repeatedly struck out at the bill, saying it undercuts Doge's work to slash federal spending.
Billionaire lashes out just as US president urges Senate to pass his ‘big, beautiful’ fiscal plan
His legacy will be to make reform even harder
Deal to allow investors to buy into group following March takeover of X
Reform says a team lead by an as-yet unnamed tech entrepreneur will review council spending in Kent.
Elon Musk resigned from his position leading the Department of Government Efficiency. What does he leave behind?
Opposition accuses Pretoria of ‘backroom deal’ over proposal to water down rules on Black ownership
Most of Saturday's front pages lead on Donald Trump gifting Elon Musk a key to mark his last day in office at Doge.
The billionaire’s exit from DOGE throws the panel’s future into uncertainty, but Musk says he will remain an ‘adviser’.
Trump said Musk would still be "coming and going" from the White House after a turbulent four months in which DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) cut tens of thousands of jobs, shuttered entire agencies and slashed foreign aid.
President praises his billionaire backer as he steps down from heading the Doge cost-cutting initiative
Elon Musk steps down from his government efficiency role after clashing with Trump over US federal spending policies.
But the electric-car maker is an anomaly, and for many investors that’s the point
The Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on foreign students, Elon Musk leaves DOGE—and more
US administration officials were often vague about when Musk would step back from his position spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, and he abruptly revealed that he was leaving in a post Wednesday on X.
Dubbed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, the bill would secure several of Trump’s priorities while raising the debt limit.
A sharp drop in stock price and falling sales have prompted investors to demand that Musk commit more of his time to the EV-maker
SpaceX’s Starship fails for a third time in a row
Shareholders say EV maker is in ‘crisis’ and call for succession planning
The 403-foot rocket blasted off on its ninth demo from Starbase, SpaceX’s launch site at the southern tip of Texas. It was the first time one of CEO Elon Musk's Starships − intended for moon and Mars travel − flew with a recycled booster.
Much is riding on the flight for Elon Musk’s moon and Mars rocket after debris from flights in January and March fell into the ocean, disrupting air travel.
The SpaceX and Tesla boss stepped down from his role as adviser to the US president in charge of the Department for Government Efficiency, just before the 130-day deadline.
Sam Altman, Elon Musk and Jensen Huang’s appearances at Build event reflect software giant’s grip on AI industry
Potential loosening of Black ownership rules came after billionaire said his satellite internet group would not comply
A proposed regulatory change would allow Elon Musk’s satellite company and others like it to get a license without having to sell shares to Black South Africans.
Elon Musk’s protégés may win by losing
Dozens of A.I.-related regulations enacted in the past two years now lead to fines, incarceration and legal challenges from the likes of Elon Musk.
Elon Musk’s satellite system dominates the battle for the future of global connectivity. Amazon and Chinese rivals are working to catch up
As he arrived at the White House Cyril Ramaphosa wanted to focus on trade — with Elon Musk in the room, there was little chance of that
Elon Musk resigned from his position leading the Department of Government Efficiency. What does he leave behind?
Cyril Ramaphosa aims to make deals with the president and Elon Musk in Washington, as an Afrikaner given refugee status talks about his new life
The comments will trigger speculation that the close relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk may be shifting as the Tesla tycoon steps away from his full-time role as cost-cutting chief for the US administration.
Donald Trump’s biggest donor has already pulled back from White House role
Asked if he had any regrets about his political activities, Musk said: "I did what needed to be done."
Tech giant’s move is latest signal of cooling relations with OpenAI
In a visit to the White House, President Cyril Ramaphosa will also highlight business opportunities for Elon Musk.
Apparently, Musk’s money can buy quick forgiveness in the ‘Democratic’ Party.
The New York Times tracked 1,109 accounts that Elon Musk follows on X to recreate what he sees.
The Paris Court of Appeal has heavily sanctioned Twitter France for its treatment of an employee following the social network's acquisition by the American billionaire in 2022.
Six months after the so-called Department of Government Efficiency was unveiled, it has yet to find a fraction of the hoped for savings
US President Donald Trump has said the US has "no stronger partner" than Saudi Arabia during his first major foreign trip.
Robyn Denholm sold Tesla stock in recent months while Elon Musk, the chief executive she oversees, worked for President Trump and alienated many car buyers.
US president expected to offer Saudi Arabia arms package reportedly worth more than $100bn; Musk, Rubio and Hegseth also on trip
On April 28, during the unprecedented blackout on the Iberian Peninsula, subscribers to Elon Musk's company's satellite connection boasted about their unaffected internet access.
US president and his adviser Elon Musk seize on discredited claims to launch economic assault against African nation
The Times found that federal agencies have revived dozens of contracts that Elon Musk’s group still publicly listed as canceled, inflating what it has saved.
A lawsuit accuses Brookfield Asset Management of fraud, attempted bribery and improperly limiting investments in one of Elon Musk’s companies.
The Microsoft founder says he plans to accelerate his charitable giving - and accused Elon Musk and Doge of 'killing children'.
The former Microsoft CEO slams Elon Musk for his efforts to slash funding for US assistance to poor countries.
New York Times reports Elon Musk’s Doge agency has created spreadsheet of federal grants earmarked for cuts
Members of the tech billionaire’s staff were concerned that correspondence about his home in West Lake Hills would become public after neighbors complained.
Errol Musk claims his son found it ‘mind-boggling’ that he was not invited to the White House when Biden set out his carbon emissions goals
Residents who mostly work for SpaceX, Mr. Musk’s rocket company, voted over the weekend to create an official city around its launch site: Starbase, Texas.
Former retirement village on the Texas coast now looks like the set of a sci-fi film, but critics say the world’s richest man has too much power
Trump and Musk’s Doge agency have spread confusion and uncertainty among government employees
Overwhelming majority of people who voted to turn base into municipality are employees of Elon Musk’s space company.
A South Texas community voted on Saturday to formally establish a new city called Starbase, fulfilling one of Elon Musk’s long-held dreams.
Local residents are voting on incorporating a patch of land as a new municipality, with a SpaceX employee tipped to become mayor.
Musk and Bezos are the heirs to a quasi-religious belief in tech salvation. The rest of us are stuck in the real world
A federal judge in Maryland found that scrutiny of the agency’s sensitive information systems by Elon Musk’s team appeared to violate federal privacy laws.
By deciding on drastic federal spending cuts and promoting his opinions bordering on the far right, the billionaire has compromised his reputation and fortune.
Trump and Musk have gut National Institutes of Health and experts are wary of private efforts’ ability to replicate public service
The electric car firm says a report that it is hunting for a successor is "absolutely false".
Jared Isaacman, who has worked with Elon Musk, won approval from a key committee and is expected to clear a full Senate vote.
Federal funding was critical to Tesla’s survival. Yet the Doge boss now derides subsidies as government overreach
Trump and Musk’s relationship ended in acrimony, but successful governments involve strong figures who manage to work together
Bolstered by its technological superiority, the billionaire's company has become indispensable, particularly for Ukraine. Donald Trump's close associate now holds unprecedented levers of influence, raising questions of a conflict of interest as China seeks to catch up.
Revenues and profits have tanked at the EV giant but its boss says AI and souped-up production can lead it to ‘the bright, shining citadel on a hill’
BBC Verify has looked at the agency's biggest claimed savings, examining the figures and speaking to experts.
It is difficult for disruptive outsiders to reform the system — but the Tesla boss’s attempts offer valuable lessons
Late-night hosts discuss the defense secretary’s many scandals and Musk’s alleged screaming match outside the Oval Office
The Tesla boss says he will step back from government work - but exactly when and how is unclear.
The United States Postal Service is now facing off with Trump and Elon Musk’s Doge over privatization