The implosion of a powerful political alliance: Trump and Musk in their own words

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By JONATHAN J. COOPER, Associated Press

Last Friday, President Donald Trump heaped praise on Elon Musk as the tech billionaire prepared to leave his unorthodox White House job.

Less than a week later, their potent political alliance met a dramatic end Thursday when the men attacked each other with blistering epithets. Trump threatened to go after Musk’s business interests. Musk called for Trump’s impeachment.

Here’s a look at the implosion of their relationship in their own words.

The goodbye

“Today it’s about a man named Elon. And he’s one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced. He stepped forward to put his very great talents into the service of our nation and we appreciate it. Just want to say that Elon has worked tirelessly helping lead the most sweeping and consequential government reform program in generations.” — Trump, May 30, Oval Office remarks.

Trump invited cameras into the Oval Office last week to bid farewell to Musk, who said he was stepping away from his government work to focus on his businesses.

Trump spoke effusively of Musk and his work with the Department of Government Efficiency for nearly 15 minutes straight.

President Donald Trump attends a meeting with the Fraternal Order of Police in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“I’ll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and adviser to the president,” Musk said. He marveled at the gold-tinged decorations Trump placed around the Oval Office.

“The oval office finally has the majesty that it deserves thanks to the president,” he said.

The budget dispute

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.” — Musk, Tuesday, post on X.

Days after their Oval Office meeting, Musk escalated his previously restrained criticism of Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill, the president’s top congressional priority.

Still, he kept his critique focused on their policy disagreement. He did not go after Trump by name, even as he called on Republican lawmakers to vote down the bill and threatened political retribution against those who took Trump’s side.

Elon Musk attends news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

“In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people,” Musk wrote on X.

Uncharacteristically for a man who rarely lets a snub go unanswered, Trump did not respond. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Musk’s views on the bill were not a surprise to Trump, and his social media posting “doesn’t change the president’s opinion.”

Musk continued Wednesday, approvingly sharing social media posts and memes that criticized the budget’s price tag and deficit impacts, though still directing his ire at Congress.

The bitter breakup

“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore.” — Trump, Thursday, Oval Office meeting with the German chancellor.

Trump said he was “very disappointed in Elon” and was surprised by his benefactor’s criticism.

The war of words escalated rapidly from there. It all played out on their respective social media platforms, with Musk posting on X and Trump on Truth Social.

Musk dismissed Trump’s criticism. “Whatever,” he wrote. He shared old Trump social media posts urging lawmakers to oppose deficit spending and increasing the debt ceiling.

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“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk posted, a reference to Musk’s record political spending last year, which topped $250 million.

“Such ingratitude,” he added.

Trump said Musk had worn out his welcome at the White House and was mad that Trump was changing electric vehicle policies in ways that would financially harm Musk-led Tesla.

“Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!” Trump wrote.

He added: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!”

Musk goes nuclear

“Time to drop the really big bomb: Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” — Musk, Thursday, X post.

In a series of posts, he shined a spotlight on ties between Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, the financier who killed himself while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Some loud voices in Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement claim Epstein’s suicide was staged by powerful figures, including prominent Democrats, who feared Epstein would expose their involvement in trafficking. Trump’s own FBI leaders have dismissed such speculation and there’s no evidence supporting it.

Later, when an X user suggested Trump be impeached and replaced by Vice President JD Vance, Musk agreed.

“Yes,” he wrote.

“I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago,” Trump wrote. He went on to promote his budget bill.

Today in History: June 6, Allies land in Normandy on D-Day

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Today is Friday, June 6, the 157th day of 2025. There are 208 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On June 6, 1944, during World War II, nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy, France, on D-Day as they launched Operation Overlord to liberate German-occupied Western Europe. More than 4,400 Allied troops were killed on D-Day, including 2,501 Americans.

Also on this date:

In 1844, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was founded in London.

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In 1889, an industrial accident sparked a devastating fire in Seattle, Washington, destroying 120 acres of the city center, including the majority of the city’s commercial district and waterfront.

In 1912, Novarupta, a volcano on the Alaska peninsula, began a three-day eruption, sending ash nearly 19 miles high; it was the most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th century and the largest ever recorded in North America.

In 1933, the first drive-in movie theater opened, in Camden, New Jersey.

In 1939, the first Little League Baseball game was played as Lundy Lumber defeated Lycoming Dairy 23-8 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

In 1966, civil rights activist James Meredith was shot and wounded by a sniper on the second day of Meredith’s march from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, which he began to raise awareness of ongoing racial oppression in the South. (Meredith would recover from his injuries and was able to rejoin the march, which had grown from a small group of supporters to 15,000 marchers, the day before the group arrived in Jackson.)

In 2015, American Pharoah became the first horse in 37 years to claim horse racing’s Triple Crown, winning the Belmont Stakes by 5 ½ lengths.

Today’s Birthdays:

Singer-songwriter Gary U.S. Bonds is 86.
Civil rights activist Marian Wright Edelman is 86.
Country musician Joe Stampley is 82.
Olympic track & field gold medalist Tommie Smith is 81.
Actor Robert Englund is 78.
Folk singer Holly Near is 76.
Sen. Sandra Bernhard is 70.
Tennis Hall of Famer Bjorn Borg is 69.
Comedian Colin Quinn is 66.
Music producer Jimmy Jam is 66.
Filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda is 63.
Actor Jason Isaacs is 62.
Actor Paul Giamatti is 58.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is 45.
Actor Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (TV: “Modern Family”) is 18.

Top boat speakers for perfect sound on the water

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Which boat speakers are best?

When the sun is bright and warm and the water is shimmering and cool, it’s time to hit the lake. Grab some friends and family, make some sandwiches, pack an ice chest of drinks and prep your summer playlist. In order to have the best experience with that last point, you’ll need to buy the best boat speakers possible. The Boss Audio Systems Weatherproof Speaker and Stereo Package includes everything you need to pump the best tunes and can connect to your phone over Bluetooth.

What to know before you buy boat speakers

Cone size and shape

The cone is the main piece of the boat speaker and is responsible for volume and bass. Larger cones can produce louder sounds, but this must be balanced against the size of your boat’s speaker holes. Most cones are round, but some are oblong instead. These shapes do have a minimal impact on the sound and its quality, but the average consumer shouldn’t hear much of a difference.

Frame size and shape

There are two boat speaker frame shapes to choose from: circular or box. Both shapes need to have their sizes compared against your boat speaker’s frame size to ensure they’ll fit.

Circular frames are more common to match most boats’ speaker hole shapes.
Box frames are less common and usually require your boat’s speaker holes to be modified to fit them. However, the box design naturally amplifies the cone’s bass.

What to look for in quality boat speakers

Wattage

A boat speaker’s power is given in watts. Higher wattages make louder and less distorted sounds possible without damaging the speaker. Higher wattages are thus more expensive.

Most boat speakers have wattages between 120 and 350. When shopping for boat speakers, ask yourself what situations you’ll be playing music in and purchase accordingly. For example, if you plan to play music only while sitting still on the water, you can save money on a low-wattage speaker. If you want to hear your music while you jet around, you can feel comfortable spending the money on a high-wattage speaker.

Weatherproofing and waterproofing

Most boat speakers have at least some minor weather- and water-resistance. This usually takes the form of ultraviolet light-resistance and a simple splash guard. The best speakers have fully sealed and waterproofed housings, though these aren’t capable of protection should your boat sink.

Tweeters

Tweeters are responsible for the high notes called treble. Most tweeters are made of aluminum for its affordability, but better speakers use titanium instead. Titanium is lighter and less resonant, so it provides less distorted and more accurate tones. However, it costs more.

How much you can expect to spend on boat speakers

Boat speakers typically cost $10-$300, though most cost $20-$100. There are plenty of great options for less than $50, though they won’t have much wattage. The best speakers start at around $125.

Boat speakers FAQ

Can I use car speakers in boats, and vice versa?

A. Many — but not all — boat speakers can be installed in either vehicle. They are only marketed as boat speakers due to their high degree of weatherproofing and waterproofing. A few car speakers can be installed in boats, but it’s never recommended to do so because they’re unlikely to remain usable after a few outings and enough contact with water.

Does my boat stereo’s quality affect my speakers?

A. Yes. Your stereo is the system by which you feed your intended sounds to your speakers for them to amplify said sounds. If your stereo is low quality, it will feed in low-quality signals no matter how high quality the source is.

Do boat speakers need to be installed professionally?

A. They don’t need to be, though many find that the professional installation process is the way to go. Most speakers do include the instructions needed to install them on your own, but you still need to have the proper tools, time and patience. If you don’t have the tools or are simply nervous you’ll make a mistake, shop around for a professional with a good rate.

What are the best boat speakers to buy?

Top boat speakers

Boss Audio Systems Weatherproof Speaker and Stereo Package

What you need to know: This is the ultimate starter package.

What you’ll love: The stereo has multiple connection methods, including Bluetooth, USB and a standard auxiliary jack. The USB port can even charge your devices. It can also connect to AM/FM radio stations and the NOAA weather band. Most were happy with the volume levels.

What you should consider: A few consumers reported that the speakers aren’t as weatherproof as they could be, and some issues with rusting were mentioned.

Top boat speakers for the money

Pyle 6.5-inch 120-watt Dual Marine Speakers

What you need to know: These are perfect for playing music while you cruise.

What you’ll love: These can be used in both boats and cars and have a good-quality sound. The exterior is built tough to resist moisture and dirt as well as prevent them from getting inside to the speaker’s components. They’re available in black and white.

What you should consider: Some shoppers found installation to be difficult. Others had rare issues with durability. They aren’t loud enough to blast your music over a roaring engine.

Worth checking out

Pyle 6.5-inch 250-watt Dual Water-Resistant Speakers

What you need to know: These powerful speakers have excellent volume.

What you’ll love: They have titanium dome tweeters with a 65-hertz to 20,000-kilohertz frequency response and 250 watts of power to blast your music as you please. It also has a 4-ohm impedance to reduce any distortion for a clearer sound.

What you should consider: Their weatherproofing and waterproofing aren’t strong enough to use outside, making them best suited for below-deck rooms. A few purchasers had issues with these speakers requiring larger-than-expected holes.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

D-Day veterans return to Normandy to mark 81st anniversary

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COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France — Veterans gathered Friday in Normandy to mark the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings — a pivotal moment of World War II that eventually led to the collapse of Adolf Hitler’s regime.

Along the coastline and near the D-Day landing beaches, tens of thousands of onlookers attended the commemorations, which included parachute jumps, flyovers, remembrance ceremonies, parades, and historical reenactments.

Many were there to cheer the ever-dwindling number of surviving veterans in their late 90s and older. All remembered the thousands who died.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commemorated the anniversary of the D-Day landings, in which American soldiers played a leading role, with veterans at the American Cemetery overlooking the shore in the village of Colleville-sur-Mer.

The June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France used the largest-ever armada of ships, troops, planes and vehicles to breach Hitler’s defenses in western Europe. A total of 4,414 Allied troops were killed on D-Day itself.

In the ensuing Battle of Normandy, 73,000 Allied forces were killed and 153,000 wounded. The battle — and especially Allied bombings of French villages and cities — killed around 20,000 French civilians between June and August 1944.

The exact German casualties are unknown, but historians estimate between 4,000 and 9,000 men were killed, wounded or missing during the D-Day invasion alone.

“The heroism, honor and sacrifice of the Allied forces on D-Day will always resonate with the U.S. Armed Forces and our Allies and partners across Europe,” said Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. “So let us remember those who flew and fell.

“Let us honor those who survived and came home to build a better world. And let us ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain by meeting today’s challenges with the same resolve, the same clarity of purpose, and the same commitment to freedom.”

Nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed on D-Day.

Of those, 73,000 were from the United States and 83,000 from Britain and Canada. Forces from several other countries were also involved, including French troops fighting with Gen. Charles de Gaulle. The Allies faced around 50,000 German forces.

More than 2 million Allied soldiers, sailors, pilots, medics and other people from a dozen countries were involved in the overall Operation Overlord, the battle to wrest western France from Nazi control that started on D-Day.

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