Month: January 2026

Elon Musk on July 14, 2024 shared Puck News reporting and lashed out at LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman after attendees at the Allen & Company Sun Valley conference reported Hoffman quipped, “Yeah, I wish I had made him an actual martyr,” in response to Peter Thiel calling Hoffman’s lawsuits a “martyr.” The remark resurfaced following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump days later. Hoffman issued a clarification condemning political violence, saying he meant legal accountability, not physical harm, and wishing Trump a speedy recovery. Musk’s amplification prompted outrage and calls from some shareholders and commentators for Hoffman to face consequences. (puck.news)

During a student-led, non-school anti-ICE protest at Fremont High School in Fremont, Nebraska, on January 29, 2026, a red SUV displaying a Trump flag struck a student around 2:30 p.m. Video shows the driver revving, accelerating into the crowd, hitting the protester and briefly stopping before fleeing. The injured student was taken to a hospital; officials said she was alert while being treated. Fremont police opened an investigation and had not identified the driver. School leaders and state officials condemned the incident and called for accountability as the community awaited updates. Authorities urged anyone with video to come forward immediately. (central.newschannelnebraska.com)

Newly released footage shows Alex Pretti spitting at federal agents and kicking a Border Patrol SUV during a January 13 protest, footage verified by BBC and confirmed by Pretti’s family. The clip, circulated by The News Movement and picked up, shows officers tackling the man and later retrieving a visible handgun from his waistband; Pretti was fatally shot by Border Patrol on January 24 during a separate operation. The Trump administration cited the video to challenge portrayals of Pretti as a peaceful protester, with President Trump highlighting the footage and criticizing local leaders’ handling of protests. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RIGHT. (yahoo.com)

President Trump defended federal agents after Border Patrol fatally shot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge, calling Pretti a “gunman” and accusing local Democrats of inciting insurrection. (aljazeera.com) Bystander video released publicly appears to show Pretti holding a phone, not a weapon, contradicting DHS claims he approached agents with a handgun and fueling protests, legal challenges, and calls for accountability. (yahoo.com) Minnesota Democrats urged DHS and ICE to withdraw and wind down the operation, and state officials sought court intervention to halt it. (dhs.techmis.com) DHS says it is leading the investigation while reviewing body camera and bystander footage and widening outrage. (washingtonpost.com)

Social-media posts claim Virginia residents are panicking after electricity bills nearly tripled in January 2026, with one resident saying she now pays $600 a month and blaming “Democrat‑approved” energy rates. (independentsentinel.com) Officials present a different picture: the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved modest changes to Dominion Energy’s rates — $11.24 monthly base increase effective January 1, 2026 and an additional $2.36 in 2027 — along with fuel‑rate adjustments and a new data‑center rate class slated for 2027. (cardinalnews.org) Regulators and utilities say typical residential bills will rise in the low double‑digits, not triple, though data‑center demand and wholesale‑price spikes are raising concerns. (wvva.com)

On January 29, 2026, President Donald Trump told reporters he will name his nominee for Federal Reserve chair on the morning of January 30, 2026, signaling a move to replace Jerome Powell when Powell’s term ends in May. (apnews.com) Trump’s search, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, reportedly narrowed to Kevin Warsh, Christopher Waller, Rick Rieder and Kevin Hassett, with Warsh widely seen as the frontrunner. (apnews.com) The move has intensified debate about Fed independence after Trump’s public pressure on Powell and reports of a federal inquiry into Powell’s handling of a costly Fed headquarters renovation. (apnews.com) Markets and lawmakers are watching closely. (ft.com)

Elon Musk voiced strong support as House Republicans unveiled the “Make Elections Great Again Act,” a sweeping federal election bill introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil. (forbes.com) The proposal would require photo ID to vote, mandate that mail‑in ballots be received by the close of polls on Election Day, require proof of citizenship to register, and force auditable paper ballots for federal contests. (washingtonpost.com) It would ban ballot‑harvesting and prohibit universal vote‑by‑mail programs, tighten routine voter‑roll maintenance, and condition federal election funds on compliance. (foxnews.com) Democrats and voting‑rights groups warn the changes could disenfranchise millions and face legal and political challenges ahead of 2026. (apnews.com)

Breaking: Conservative reporter Liz Collin alleged that Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Gov. Tim Walz may have struck an “inside deal” to install Walz in Klobuchar’s Senate seat if she wins Minnesota’s gubernatorial race. (ktsa.com) Klobuchar announced her bid this week; Walz has said he won’t seek elective office again amid a widening welfare-fraud probe. (apnews.com) Under Minnesota law, a governor can appoint a temporary Senate replacement if a vacancy occurs, with a special election to follow. (startribune.com) Collin’s claim is unproven and has been framed as speculation by other outlets; officials have not confirmed any backroom arrangement as alleged. (gvwire.com)