The Morning Sixpack - August 4, 2025

Tesla’s loyalty dips after Musk backs Trump; Harvard rejects $500M deal with White House; Loni Anderson, WKRP star, dies at 79.

Trump Just Broke Another Campaign Promise—This Time on IVF Coverage

President Trump has officially ditched his promise to require the government or insurers to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF), proving once again that “Promises Made, Promises Kept” is just another MAGA bullshit punchline.

Despite campaigning on expanding IVF access to appeal to moderates, the administration quietly admitted it won’t push Congress to make it an essential health benefit anytime soon.

This flip-flop comes after Alabama’s Supreme Court granted “personhood” rights to frozen embryos, putting IVF in hot water legally and culturally—a nightmare for both patients and providers. The state legislature scrambled to protect IVF but didn’t solve the bigger personhood puzzle. Meanwhile, Trump’s camp kept pretending to support IVF while cozying up to his hardcore anti-abortion base, showing Trump’s real priorities.

Source: talkingpointsmemo.com

Read this to see how Executive Orders are complete bullshit, whether you agree with what they’re promoting or not. Trump NEVER was going to do what he said he was going to do in this EO.

A Russian Volcano Just Woke Up After 600 Years—Right After a Massive Earthquake

The Krasheninnikov volcano erupted for the first time in centuries, sending ash plumes 6 kilometers high, just days after a massive 8.8-magnitude quake shook nearby waters.

Scientists say this rare eruption on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula may be linked to last week’s powerful earthquake, which also triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific. Staff at the Kronotsky Nature Reserve evacuated as ash and steam billowed, but thankfully, no injuries were reported. Olga Girina, head of Kamchatka’s Volcanic Eruption Response Team, confirmed this is the first historically confirmed eruption of Krasheninnikov in 600 years.

Seismologists note the eerie timing and location of the eruption near the quake’s epicenter, highlighting how interconnected Earth’s geological systems truly are. The Kamchatka Peninsula is no stranger to volcanic activity, housing 29 active volcanoes that regularly disrupt North Pacific air travel.

While it’s too soon for firm conclusions, this event underscores how one major geological disturbance can cascade into another, reminding us that our planet’s forces rarely act in isolation. Expect more scientific scrutiny as researchers dig deeper into these linked phenomena.

Source: washingtonpost.com (gift article)

Tesla Just Made Elon Musk $30 Billion Richer—Because Why Not?

Elon Musk just scored nearly $30 billion in Tesla shares as a reward for sticking around, proving the rich really do get richer.

This massive stock grant comes after a Delaware court nixed Musk’s previous $50 billion pay deal over shady board approval issues. Now Musk’s back with a fresh haul of 96 million shares, just in time to weather Tesla’s sales slump caused by stiff competition, evaporating EV subsidies, and Musk’s own polarizing politics (see next story).

Meanwhile, the guy who turned Tesla from a carmaker into an AI and robotics “powerhouse” is shifting focus hard—bye affordable electric vehicles, hello robotaxis and humanoid bots. It’s bold, it’s futuristic, and it’s sure to keep Musk’s bank account growing faster than Tesla’s quarterly sales. Tesla, the car company, is DEAD.

Of course, this generous pay package lands while Tesla faces one of its worst sales streaks ever, which makes you wonder: Is this a reward for success, or a golden parachute in disguise? It’s neither. It’s just crony capitalists doing what crony capitalists do.

Source: semafor.com

Tesla’s Customer Loyalty Took a Nosedive—And Elon Musk’s Trump Endorsement Isn’t Helping

Tesla’s once sky-high customer loyalty crashed from 73% to just under 50% in less than a year—and Musk’s political drama played a starring role.

Data from S&P Global Mobility reveals Tesla’s loyalty peaked mid-2024, then tanked right after Musk backed Trump following the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. The loyalty bottomed out last March, dipping below the industry average, before creeping back up slightly to 57% in May—still far from Tesla’s dominant highs. S&P analyst Tom Libby called this plunge “unprecedented,” never having seen loyalty fall this fast for a leader in the market.

Tesla’s political distractions and Musk’s polarizing moves didn’t help the brand’s eco-conscious customers, many of whom lean Democratic and started exploring other EV options. Couple that with a stagnant model lineup, including the flop Cybertruck, and the competition from legacy automakers and Chinese EV brands is eating Tesla’s lunch. Sales have declined sharply, especially in Europe, where backlash against Musk’s activism is fierce.

Despite this, some investors remain bullish, banking on Tesla’s future robotaxi ambitions and self-driving tech licensing (it still doesn’t work) to keep profits rolling in even if car sales keep slipping. But as the data shows, Tesla can’t just rely on innovation buzz—it needs to repair serious brand damage if it wants to keep its edge.

Source: reuters.com

More: MotherJones

Harvard Pushes Back: No $500 Million Trump Settlement Coming Anytime Soon

Harvard’s president just crushed rumors that the university is about to pay half a billion dollars to settle with the Trump administration—and says they’re ready to fight it out in court instead.

President Alan Garber told faculty that talks with the White House are “on and off” and that academic freedom is nonnegotiable. Unlike some Ivy League peers who folded under pressure—paying huge sums and accepting intrusive monitors—Harvard is holding its ground, even as the Trump administration ratchets up demands. The claim of a looming $500 million payout? Pure White House spin, Garber says.

Despite some behind-the-scenes moves like dismantling diversity offices and cutting ties with certain international programs, Harvard’s leadership is signaling that lawsuits challenging frozen federal funds and international student restrictions will continue. And with favorable preliminary rulings from Judge Allison Burroughs, Harvard’s legal team is optimistic.

Still, this fight won’t end soon. Trump has vowed to appeal every loss, and the university faces a legal marathon that could stretch to the Supreme Court. For now, Harvard’s message is clear: Money talks, but not at the expense of academic independence.

Source: thecrimson.com

Loni Anderson, TV’s “WKRP in Cincinnati” Star, Dies Just Before 80th Birthday

Loni Anderson, beloved actress known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on “WKRP in Cincinnati,” passed away after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy of charm and resilience.

Anderson, who captivated audiences as the smart and savvy receptionist who kept a struggling radio station afloat, earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations during her career. She was a fixture on television and film from the ’70s through recent years, known for her sharp wit and talent.

Her personal life, often tabloid fodder, included a high-profile marriage to Burt Reynolds, with whom she shared a son, Quinton. Anderson’s candid autobiography, My Life in High Heels, captured her journey through ups and downs with honesty and grace.

Friends and co-stars mourned her passing, celebrating the warmth and kindness she brought both on and off screen. Anderson’s family announced a private service will be held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to honor her memory.

She leaves behind a rich legacy that extends beyond entertainment, inspiring with her authenticity and spirit. Rest in peace, Jennifer Marlowe.

Source: apnews.com