New Hampshire
New Hampshire governor says Musk is too rich to be affected by conflicts of interest
Republican New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is facing sharp criticism after suggesting that Elon Musk is too rich to be affected by possible conflicts of interest.
Sununu appeared on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday when he was asked if Musk has any conflicts of interest being the owner of companies such as SpaceX which have held government contracts worth billions while also heading an outside commission charged with leading efforts to cut government spending.
“I like the fact that he’s, in a way, so rich [that] he’s removed from the potential financial influence,” Sununu claimed.
Musk, who also leads the electric car maker Tesla, spent about a quarter of a billion dollars of his fortune, estimated to be about $430 billion, to help Trump win the White House.
“I don’t think he’s doing it for the money,” Sununu added. “He’s doing it for the bigger project and the bigger vision of America. He doesn’t need the dollars.”
Sununu immediately faced a deluge of criticism for his comments.
In a column for MSNBC, author and producer Steve Benen wrote: “Let me see if I have this straight … Americans shouldn’t be overly concerned about the president-elect empowering a billionaire GOP megadonor with power and influence, a businessman with extensive private-sector interests here and abroad, and we should be indifferent to the potential for the megadonor’s conflicts of interest?”
He added: “Why? Because, according to Sununu, … the world’s wealthiest person isn’t overly concerned about making money?”
Sununu, who was trashed by Trump for backing former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley during the Republican primary, called Trump “f****** crazy” in 2022 during a Washington roast.
Benen argued that Sununu had “tried and failed to defend Trump describing Americans he disagrees with as ‘the enemy within’” and to “defend Trump amid reports that he said in private that he wished he had military generals like the ones who served Adolf Hitler.”
“Sununu found himself in the unenviable role of trying to defend the indefensible in order to bolster the man who had spent the year mocking and scolding him,” he added.
George W Bush White House Ethics lawyer Richard Painter wrote on X: “Is this the new normal? Billionaires are too rich to have conflicts of interest. Bull.”
Democratic New Hampshire State Representative David Meuse also took to X to slam Sununu.
“According to @GovChrisSununu, if you happen to be the world’s wealthiest biological organism, your motives can no longer be questioned — even if you donated $277 million in campaign contributions to Trump and other GOP pols to secure your seat at the table,” he said.
Meanwhile, Republican strategist Jeff Timmer wrote that the governor “has learned that once you jettison all honor and integrity by digging a hole of relativism you might as well keep digging.”
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
March 5 recap: Missoula and Western Montana news you may have missed today
The Coffee Bin selected as Nebraska Passport program stop
Gas prices climb in northern Nevada amid tensions in the Middle East
NH National Guard activated in connection with Iran war
Pesce Youth Clinic | New Jersey Devils
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
DOJ continues Biden autopen probe despite former president unlikely to face charges
Fact check: Did French border guards mock influencers returning from Dubai amid Iran war?
Iran’s fight for survival / The widening war / Trump’s nebulous goals : Sources & Methods
Map: 4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Louisiana
Paxton vows he’s ‘staying in this race’ even if Trump backs Cornyn in Texas GOP clash
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon7 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling