Good morning! It’s Tuesday, March 4, 2025. In today’s Morning Update:

⏱️ Estimated read time: 4 minutes, 45 seconds

Elon Musk publicly confirmed last week what so many people fear: Social Security is on the chopping block. But it just may be the wake-up call we need.

WHAT HAPPENED: On Joe Rogan’s podcast Friday, the world’s richest person called Social Security—a program that keeps millions out of poverty—a “massive Ponzi scheme.” (Newsflash: it’s not.)

However, rather than a frontal assault, Musk has started lying through his teeth about waste and fraud in the program, in an obvious attempt to turn Americans (however slowly) against the program.

Of course, compulsive liar Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed not to cut Social Security—a promise directly at odds with his promise to reduce the size of the federal government.

BUT BUT BUT: Musk’s comments on Friday triggered an avalanche of outrage from Progressives lawmakers and advocates over the weekend.

AOC also laid into Musk, calling him “a leech on the public."

WHAT’S NEXT: Musk’s not-so-subtle attack on Social Security, and Martin O’Malley’s dire warning about the effect of cuts to the agency, may just be the wake up call the country needs to protect the pensions of 74 million Americans.

There’s a lot of sh*t out there. Here’s what’s actually important—and why.

Why it matters: In case you needed more proof that tariffs are a bad idea for just about everyone, stocks on Wall Street took a major tumble after Trump confirmed yesterday that tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China will proceed. Not only will prices will go up for just about everything, he’s also risking a recession. Full story from CNN.

Why it matters: It remains to be seen if Ukraine can win the war against Russian aggression without U.S. support. As one Ukrainian source says, "by abruptly halting military assistance to Ukraine, President Trump is hanging Ukrainians out to dry and giving Russia the green light to continue marching west.” Full story from AP.

Why it matters: ABC’s stunning report could mean the Trump administration is complicit in a war crime. As we reported on social media, blocking humanitarian aid to civilians is a war crime and could constitute collective punishment—which is prohibited by the Geneva Convention. Full story from ABC News.

Pro-capitalist forces have declared war on the left as the Democratic Party struggles with how to respond to November’s across-the-board defeat to Republicans.

DRIVING THE NEWS: Politico reports that establishment Democrats, including consultants, staffers, and elected officials, gathered at a ritzy resort outside Washington, D.C. in early February to discuss a “comeback strategy.”

Their “findings,” published in a five page memo, claims the “far left” has basically taken over the party and suggest a radical re-adjustment. They specifically suggest:

And—no joke—the report says Democrats aren’t trusted by the working class because of the “vilification of wealth.”

As such, “centrist” Democrats have been planting anti-AOC propaganda in DC publications and are apparently planing a “less pugilistic approach” in responding to Trump’s State of the Union tonight.

MEANWHILE: Progressives says the memo is drastically out of touch with the party’s base and the broader American public.

Anger towards Trump and crony capitalism has spilled into the streets. Thousands have turned out across the country to protest Trump’s destruction of the federal government and Elon’s self-serving influence.

WHAT’S NEXT: Political experts say all this points to a brewing civil war in the party, with big business and corporate democrats pitted against Progressives and the grassroots.

Last Thursday we asked: Who’s worse, Donald Trump or Elon Musk?

READERS WRITE: Starkat voted for Trump and wrote, “He is an evil man set on destroying America and citizens’ Freedoms.”

Jkison also voted for Trump: “Trump could stop Musk. Trump is the enabler, Musk is just his henchman.”

Crys votes Musk and said just the opposite: “Trump has less power without Musk.”

TODAY’S QUESTION: What do you think the Democrats need to do in order to win in 2026? Tell us in the comments what you think!

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Thank you for reading! - Andrew & Anthony