Connect with us

Austin, TX

Elon Musk spent over $650K to fund PAC’s attempts to unseat DA José Garza, WSJ reports

Published

on

Elon Musk spent over 0K to fund PAC’s attempts to unseat DA José Garza, WSJ reports


play

Elon Musk covertly funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars into a Travis County election in an attempt to block a prosecutor’s reelection, according to an exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal.

Here’s a breakdown of what the business and finance outlet uncovered.

Advertisement

People are also reading: Travis County quietly gave DA José Garza $115K for security, withheld details | EXCLUSIVE

Elon Musk funded Save Austin Now PAC tied to ads against DA José Garza

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO primarily funded Save Austin Now, self-described as “a nonpartisan citizen’s group dedicated to Austin’s quality of life.” The group tried (and ultimately failed) to unseat Travis County District Attorney José Garza in the March Democratic primary. Save Austin circulated fliers and texts, along with spending over $650,000 on television ads, to attack Garza, according to sources familiar with Musk’s involvement and Federal Communications Commission and corporate documents.

The political action committee accused Garza of having “radical ideology” and “letting violent criminals out of jail in Austin.” Fliers featured a bloody teddy bear with text that reads, “José Garza is filling Austin’s streets with pedophiles and killers. The next victim could be your loved one.”

The back of the flier depicts a man’s hand covering a child’s mouth, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Advertisement

Despite being significantly outraised by opponent Jeremy Sylestine, Garza won the Democratic primary. In predominantly blue Travis County, Garza will likely also defeat Republican challenger Daniel Betts in the Nov. 5 general election.

In June, Bell County Attorney Jim Nichols, a Republican, dismissed a lawsuit seeking to remove Garza from office. The lawsuit claimed the DA had a policy of not prosecuting certain cases, but Nichols wrote he found no such policies in place.

Two months earlier, another case sought to remove Garza under a “rogue prosecutor” statute. Travis County resident Mary Elizabeth Dupuis claimed Garza’s alleged refusal to prosecute certain criminal offenses qualified as “official misconduct” as outlined by Texas House Bill 17.

Advertisement

Elon Musk’s politics, financial backings

Musk, whose net worth is over $250 billion, has become a highly visible supporter of former President Donald Trump — so much so that he was recently promised a leadership position for the “Government Efficiency Task Force” if Trump is reelected as president in November.

Musk has previously been said to plan to make large donations to a super PAC supporting Trump, which he denies. In July, he made national headlines when rumors began circulating that he had pledged to donate $45 million to Trump every month.

“What’s been reported in the media is simply not true,” Musk told commentator Jordan Peterson during an interview on X. “I am not donating $45 million a month to Trump.”

‘Okay you win’: Musk responds to Taylor Swift’s Harris-Walz endorsement

The Tesla CEO’s politics drew national attention earlier this week when he took a jab at global popstar Taylor Swift.

Swift endorsed the Harris-Walz campaign just minutes after Tuesday’s debate between Harris and trump, and ended her now-viral Instagram post saying, “With love and hope, Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady” — a dig at Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance’s recent and repeated criticism of childless women in America.

Advertisement

In response, Musk took to his own platform and wrote, “Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.”

The post garnered criticism, with many users saying Musk’s response was inappropriate.

More on Taylor Swift’s endorsement: Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president after debate. See Donald Trump’s response





Source link

Advertisement

Austin, TX

Photo of the Week: Texas K-9 care

Published

on

Photo of the Week: Texas K-9 care


EMS1 Staff comprises experienced writers, editors, and EMS professionals dedicated to delivering trusted, timely, and actionable information and resources for public safety. EMS1 Staff is committed to equipping EMS providers with the knowledge and resources they need to excel in pre-hospital care. With a focus on delivering breaking news, expert advice, and practical tools, our team ensures EMTs and paramedics have access to reliable information that supports their professional growth and enhances patient outcomes.

Interested in expert-driven resources delivered for free directly to your inbox? Subscribe for free to any our our EMS1 newsletters.

You can also connect with us on YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Austin, TX

Australia mass shooting: Brother of Texas rabbi injured in attack speaks at Austin ceremony

Published

on

Australia mass shooting: Brother of Texas rabbi injured in attack speaks at Austin ceremony


In the wake of the Australia attack on Bondi Beach, Jewish community members flocked to join Governor Greg Abbott in the annual Hanukkah tradition, which looked different this year.

The traditional lighting of the menorah at the Capitol is typically held outside. However, with the recent attack, everyone piled into the Governor’s reception room for security reasons.

Advertisement

The backstory:

There was a weight in the air you could almost feel as members of the Jewish community gathered for the annual Texas Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony.

The celebration comes only days after two gunmen killed 15 people and injured about 40 others at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia.

Advertisement

“We have enhanced security, making sure celebrations will take place peacefully and respectfully,” said Governor Greg Abbott.

The terror attack hits home for many. One of the victims is a fellow Texan, Rabbi Liebel Lazaroff, who remains in the ICU fighting for his life.

Advertisement

“An attack on Jews anywhere is an attack on us.”

Rabbi Liebel Lazaroff and his father. 

Liebel’s siblings drove in from College Station, and his brother, Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff, spoke about his brother’s heroic actions on Bondi Beach.

Advertisement

“[Liebel] saw, close by, an Australian police officer who was injured and critically bleeding,” said Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff. “He ran over to him, took the shirt off his back, and applied a tourniquet and saved the man’s life.”

Liebel was shot twice while trying to save the Australian police officer. All of this unfolded as Liebel’s boss and mentor died right next to him. He was identified as Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

Advertisement

“[Liebel] said, ‘I could’ve saved the rabbi,’” said Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff. “[Liebel] said ‘Rabbi Schlanger has a family, a wife and children. I’m just a young boy. I could have done something, and I wish I would’ve done more.’”

The 20-year-old rabbi has undergone several surgeries and has more ahead of him before he can begin what will be a long road to recovery.

“He’s a good man, and he’s tough, but it definitely made me emotional for sure, and I’m proud of him,” said Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff. “I’m proud of who he is and what he represents.”

Advertisement

During the eight days of Hanukkah, one candle is lit each night until all eight are burning. On Thursday night, the fifth candle was lit, the symbolic transition of there being more light than darkness.

​The Lazaroff family is seeking donations to cover Liebel’s medical bills. Here’s a link if you would like to help.

Advertisement

The Source: Information from statements at the Texas Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony and previous FOX 7 Austin coverage

AustinWorldMass Shootings



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Austin, TX

Holiday gifts at 44 Farms

Published

on

Holiday gifts at 44 Farms


If you’re still looking for last minute gift ideas, how about a box of steaks this Christmas? That’s what 44 Farms has been offering up since 1909 here in Texas. Good Day Austin’s Tierra Neubaum has more from Lockhart.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending