The Morning Sixpack - December 12, 2024
Trump Time’s ‘Person of the Year’, FBI head Wray to Step Down, Meta’s $1M Donation to Trump, Musk worth $400B, Biden Grants Largest Single-Day Clemency, Kari Lake Tapped to Lead VOA
…because, of course, he was…
Donald Trump Named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’ for the Second Time
Donald Trump has achieved a historic milestone, becoming Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” for the second time. Announced Thursday, this recognition celebrates the president-elect’s unparalleled influence on global affairs, marking a stunning political comeback since his first selection in 2016. Trump, known for his fixation on the accolade, called his initial win “a great honor” and this year’s distinction caps what Time describes as his resurgence, with the potential to “upend modern American politics.” In celebration, Trump will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange and attend the unveiling of the magazine cover alongside family members, including Ivanka Trump.
Time’s designation of Trump underscores its longstanding tradition of spotlighting individuals who wield the greatest global impact “for good or for ill.” This year’s honor arrives as Trump prepares to assume office for a second term, following an election that reignited his influence on the national stage. Trump’s journey to reclaim the title has been marked by moments of controversy, including his outspoken critiques of the magazine’s previous selections, such as Angela Merkel in 2015 and Taylor Swift in 2023. Despite his frequent clashes with the media, Trump sat down for a candid interview with Time earlier this year, solidifying his complex relationship with legacy outlets.
The “Person of the Year” title has long been a cultural touchstone, bestowed upon figures ranging from heads of state to social activists. Trump joins a legacy of U.S. presidents who have earned the honor at least once, with this year’s selection reaffirming his polarizing yet undeniable impact. As Time wrote in its announcement, the title reflects Trump’s ability to galvanize public attention and reshape political norms, making him one of the most consequential figures of his era.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/11/politics/trump-time-magazine-person-of-the-year/index.html
Trump Appoints Kari Lake to Lead Voice of America Amid Media Criticism
In a controversial move, President-elect Donald Trump has named Kari Lake, a staunch loyalist and immigration hardliner, as the new director of Voice of America (VOA). Lake, a former television news anchor and two-time unsuccessful political candidate in Arizona, has long echoed Trump’s criticisms of the media and was considered a potential vice presidential pick before the role went to JD Vance. Trump’s selection of Lake to lead the congressionally funded broadcaster has drawn sharp attention due to her history of amplifying election fraud claims and criticizing “fake news.” Lake, who vowed to be a journalist’s “worst fricking nightmare” during her 2022 gubernatorial bid, remains unapologetic about her polarizing approach.
Lake’s appointment marks a significant shift for VOA, an organization founded during World War II with a mission to provide independent news to international audiences. Trump’s criticism of VOA dates back to his first term, where he accused the broadcaster of using taxpayer funds to promote narratives favorable to authoritarian regimes. Despite these claims, VOA has consistently defended its reporting, with its congressional charter requiring impartiality. Observers have noted that Lake’s leadership could pose a challenge to the broadcaster’s commitment to unbiased reporting.
Alongside Lake’s appointment, Trump announced several other key picks, including Leandro Rizzuto as ambassador to the Organization of American States, Dan Newlin as ambassador to Colombia, and Peter Lamelas, a prominent donor and urgent care founder, as ambassador to Argentina. These selections reflect Trump’s reliance on loyalists as he prepares for his second term. The appointment of Kari Lake, however, underscores his intent to reshape the media landscape further, reinforcing his stance that it is an “existential battle.”
Elon Musk’s Net Worth Soars to $400 Billion, Shattering Records
Elon Musk has become the first individual in history to amass a net worth exceeding $400 billion, a milestone fueled by his dynamic business ventures and the recent surge in Tesla and SpaceX valuations. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Musk’s fortune surged by $62.8 billion in a single day, the largest one-day increase on record, pushing his total wealth to $447 billion. His rise has paralleled broader trends among the world's wealthiest individuals, whose collective net worth has now surpassed $10 trillion for the first time.
Musk’s financial leap was driven by a $50 billion boost from an insider share sale of his privately held SpaceX, now valued at $350 billion and recognized as the most valuable private startup globally. Tesla shares, which have gained 71% in 2024, also rallied to a record $424.77. Expectations tied to President-elect Donald Trump’s policy agenda, including potential support for self-driving cars and reduced tax credits for Tesla’s competitors, have further propelled the automaker’s stock. Musk’s growing influence is underscored by his upcoming role as co-head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, granting him a platform in Washington.
Despite recent setbacks, including a Delaware court striking down his 2018 Tesla pay package valued at over $100 billion, Musk’s financial dominance remains unchallenged. He called the ruling “absolute corruption” on X, as Tesla vowed to appeal. Meanwhile, Musk continues to expand his empire, with his AI startup xAI doubling its valuation to $50 billion and strong government backing for SpaceX’s ambitious Mars missions. As Jared Isaacman, Trump’s pick to lead NASA, remarked, SpaceX is “the most innovative, literally impressive organization” he has ever seen.
Biden Grants Historic Clemency: 1,500 Sentences Commuted and 39 Pardons Issued
In a landmark move, President Joe Biden has granted clemency to approximately 1,500 individuals and pardoned 39 others in the largest single-day act of mercy in modern U.S. history. Those who benefited from the commutations had been serving home confinement after release during the pandemic, while pardons were issued to Americans convicted of nonviolent crimes who have since turned their lives around. “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,” Biden stated. “As president, I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation.”
The clemency recipients include a decorated military veteran, a molecular biosciences doctoral student, and a church deacon who now works as a youth counselor. This sweeping act follows Biden’s previous pardons for marijuana-related offenses and service members convicted under now-defunct military bans on consensual gay sex. Biden has signaled that more clemency actions may come before his term ends in January, amid increasing calls to address sentencing disparities and federal death row cases.
As Biden prepares to leave office, his use of clemency power has drawn sharp contrasts with the incoming Trump administration, which previously oversaw a record number of federal executions. Advocacy groups continue to push for further action, including pardons for controversial figures like environmental lawyer Steven Donziger and broader protections against potential retribution from the next administration. The president’s actions highlight both the power and the complexity of clemency in shaping justice and second chances.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/biden-pardons-clemency-4432002d67334e6716c2776fd73f3cc8
FBI Director Christopher Wray to Step Down as Trump Plans New Leadership
FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced his decision to resign at the conclusion of President Joe Biden's administration, marking the end of a seven-year tenure under presidents of both parties. Wray, who was appointed by Donald Trump in 2017, shared the news with FBI employees, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining the Bureau’s integrity during the transition. "My focus is, and always has been, on doing what’s right for the FBI," Wray said in prepared remarks, highlighting the Bureau's mission to uphold the Constitution and protect Americans. His resignation sets the stage for a new era of FBI leadership under the incoming Trump administration.
President-elect Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with Wray, referencing the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago in 2022 and describing Wray's departure as “a great day for America.” Trump has already nominated loyalist Kash Patel to serve as the next FBI director. Patel, a former aide in Trump’s administration, is meeting with senators ahead of an expected confirmation process. Trump stated his confidence in Patel’s ability to “restore law and order and integrity at the FBI,” adding, “We want our FBI back, and that will now happen.”
Wray's departure comes during a period of heightened scrutiny and declining public trust in the FBI, with political cases dominating headlines. Despite these challenges, Wray reaffirmed his belief in the Bureau’s resilience. “Our adherence to our core values and our dedication to independence and objectivity... are why the Bureau will endure and remain successful long into the future,” he said. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised Wray’s leadership, calling his service “honorable and full of integrity,” while others, including FBI Agents Association President Natalie Bara, echoed the sentiment, underscoring the Bureau's unwavering mission to protect the nation.
Meta’s $1M Donation to Trump’s Inauguration Fund Sparks Controversy
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, marking a surprising shift in the historically tense relationship between Trump and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The donation, confirmed by multiple outlets including CBS and the Wall Street Journal, comes as Trump prepares to be sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on January 20. Inauguration funds typically cover event costs, but critics view such contributions as an attempt to curry favor with incoming administrations.
Relations between Trump and Zuckerberg have been frosty in the past. Trump has criticized Meta platforms as “anti-Trump” and accused Zuckerberg of bias, even suggesting in a September book that the tech mogul should “spend the rest of his life in prison” for alleged election interference. However, a recent dinner between Zuckerberg and Trump at Mar-a-Lago signals a potential thaw in their relationship. Trump acknowledged the gesture in an October podcast, calling a personal phone call from Zuckerberg “nice” and praising the Meta CEO for “staying out of the election.”
Despite the donation, Zuckerberg’s relationship with Trump remains distant compared to other tech leaders like Elon Musk, who has been dubbed Trump’s “First Buddy” due to his prominent role in the new administration and his significant campaign contributions. Meta has not commented on the donation, and its gesture contrasts with its lack of similar contributions to President Biden’s 2020 inaugural fund or Trump’s 2016 fund, raising questions about its motivations during this election cycle.