In response, former President Donald Trump took aggressive steps to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC). This action comes on the heels of the ICC’s newest issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. His latest move has only escalated his long-standing feuds with international bodies. It has sparked a new public feud between him and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
In a press conference last week, Trump made clear that he is not happy with Musk, showing that their once friendly ties have cooled considerably. “Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will any more,” Trump stated, reflecting the friction that has developed between them. The fallout appears to stem from Musk’s critical comments regarding Trump’s policies, including assertions that Trump’s proposed global tariffs would lead to a recession.
Today’s sanctions by President Trump are a warning to ICC judges that authorized arrest warrants against Israeli officials Netanyahu and Gallant. These judges had previously engaged in investigations into alleged abuses by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan, which Trump has labeled as “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel,” according to Senator Marco Rubio.
So what did the former president do? This change is part of a larger renewable energy strategy he released during the press conference. He announced his plans to order cabinet secretaries to write sanctions targeting the ICC. This action is meant to strengthen U.S. sovereignty against international judicial actions. If anything, given his rhetoric on the ICC, Trump treats this organization as a blatant enemy, especially since the ICC has recently begun probing actions in Israel.
In an incredible turn of events, Trump accidentally replied to a tweet promoting his ouster. He quote-tweeted it, a tactic that some political observers consider uncharacteristic of a former president. This action, juxtaposed with his aggressive stance on the ICC, underscores his combative approach to criticism and challenges from both domestic and international entities.
Meanwhile, Trump’s choice for the next U.S. Surgeon General has drawn scrutiny due to their outspoken views on the influence of special interests within the nation’s health systems. This appointment would be another sign Trump is serious about continuing to remold U.S. health policy and to do so in ways that better fit his priorities.
In a different but connected story, Trump just warned he’d end subsidies for Musk’s companies, like Tesla and SpaceX. It’s no wonder that experts are telling us that these threats are more bluster than reality. Fiona Cincotta, a market analyst, stated, “It’s unlikely that Trump will end subsidies and contracts with [Tesla]. Those are obviously threats that are unlikely to come into fruition.” Regardless, the implications of these comments could wrack relations even further between the two powerful personalities.
Musk initially ignited the Twitter feud by calling for Trump to be impeached. This strong assertion added fuel to the fire in their still raging feud. Musk has created a lot of excitement with his ostentatious statements regarding Trump’s connections to the Radical Left. He infamously stated that, “Donald Trump is in the Epstein files,” opining that this is the reason why those records still haven’t seen the light of day.
As the rhetoric between the two sides increases, Trump remains defiant. He thinks he’s doing a good job managing the aftermath of his breakup with Musk. “It’s going very well, never done better,” he claimed during a recent interview, aiming to project confidence amid mounting controversies.