Austin, TX
Elon Musk spent over $650K to fund PAC’s attempts to unseat DA José Garza, WSJ reports
Trump: Elon Musk to lead ‘Government Efficiency’ group if elected
Trump’s comments were part of a speech delivered at The Economic Club of New York.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Austin, TX
Letter to the editor from Texas emeritus professor on Dell donation
Video of new Texas Tech System chancellor home at historic Lubbock property
The Texas Tech System is acquiring the historic Tudor Revival ‘English Home’ in Lubbock to serve as the new chancellor’s residence.
Money and rankings don’t make a great university. Providing opportunities for disadvantaged students and protecting academic freedom, however, do.
Case in point: Michael and Susan Dell recently surpassed $1 billion in giving to the University of Texas at Austin, launching a plan to build a new medical center and advanced research campus in north Austin.
To be sure, this is a magnanimous gift that will fund important initiatives. While enormously grateful for this contribution, I am disappointed that this gift was not accompanied with a strong message from Michael Dell admonishing the University for gutting DEI and infringing upon academic freedom.
As a colleague of mine astutely observed: “Good luck recruiting doctors and med students. The attacks on DEI and political climates will mean a lot more than rankings and money long-term.”
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, referencing the Dell gift, is right: “We are transforming this site into a new campus the world has never seen before.” Yes, never seen, but in a very negative and dangerous way!
Last week, I received a message from the Texas Exes: “This is your last chance to show your support during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres, UT Austin’s Texas-sized fundraising event. Can we count on you?”
My answer: “No, absolutely not. I won’t give one dime to a university that no longer is committed to diversity and preserving academic freedom.”
Having proudly taught at UT for 41 years, I am sad to say this.
– Richard Cherwitz, Ph.D. is the Ernest A. Sharpe Centennial Professor Emeritus, Moody College of Communication and Founding Director, Intellectual Entrepreneurship Consortium (IE) at The University of Texas at Austin.
How to share a letter to the editor
Want to share your voice in the A-J? We’d love for you to contribute to the thoughtful and civil conversation. Please send us a letter to the editor by emailing us at newmedia@lubbockonline.com or through mail: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 710 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401. Please keep submissions to around 250 words or less.
Austin, TX
APD responds to barricaded subject in E Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — APD SWAT responded to a barricaded subject in East Austin Saturday afternoon.
According to police, the incident took place near the 3400 block of Kay St., and officers responded to the call at around 1:30 p.m.
Once officers arrived, they made contact with a victim who “advised of circumstances that met the state law requirement of assault with a deadly weapon family violence.” Shortly after, the suspect barricaded themselves inside the residence.
ALSO: National Weather Service warns of storms with gusty winds
Austin Police officers, SWAT, hostage negotiators, and Austin-Travis County EMS were still on the scene and the suspect was still barricaded as of 6:15 p.m.
People are being encouraged to avoid the area due to increased police presence, or stay in a safe location if they are unable to avoid the area.
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This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Austin, TX
Press conference: Northwest Austin shooting victim died at the scene
A 27-year-old Pflugerville man faces capital murder charges for allegedly killing his parents and his brother, according to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. The bodies of 62-year-old Armand, 63-year-old Jami and 31-year-old Noah Dahan were found by deputies conducting a welfare check Thursday at their home on Civorno Drive. Deputies said the victims had suffered gunshot wounds. https://www.kxan.com/news/crime/tcso-pflugerville-triple-homicide/
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