They reap what their convenient alliance sowed
Yonkers: Elon Musk the Destroyer spent millions of his fortune to help buy Donald Trump’s presidency, doubtless expecting a personal financial windfall as a reward. Trump, aka “the man who would be king,” gave Musk, his honeymoon partner, the keys to the kingdom to “eliminate government waste,” which is not a bad idea on the surface. Then Musk and his Cossack raiders went on an uncontrolled rampage, cutting and gutting longstanding government agencies and policies and throwing tens of thousands of people out of their jobs and endangering the health, welfare and even the very lives of untold millions of Americans, using a chainsaw when a scalpel was the correct tool.
Enter karma. Ordinary people began destroying Tesla vehicles and dealerships. Tesla vehicles were being sold for peanuts. Stock values of Musk’s companies have gone down the toilet, taking along billions of his fortune. His honeymoon with Trump ends. For correctly calling Trump’s “big beautiful bill” a “disgusting abomination,” Trump threatened to cancel all government contracts with all of Musk’s companies, another huge hit to Musk’s fortune. Karma.
Of course, one truly scary possibility is that Musk/DOGE got that carte blanche because he was really the Geppetto to Trump’s Pinocchio, playing to Trump’s ego to pull the strings. Don’t hold your breath waiting for a reconciliation. Remember that we are talking about two of the planet’s smallest people with two of the biggest egos. Like many divorcing couples, each feels betrayed. As for Musk’s possible payback, with midterm elections coming, don’t be shocked to see him spending millions to help elect Dems and Independents to make Trump a truly lame duck. Karma. Mark Bloom
Recruitment tool
Madison, Wis.: The military parade that took place on Flag Day brought Americans together, displayed our country’s rich history and strength and encouraged the younger generation to consider joining the U.S. Army. Thanks to President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for making possible this parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army. There is an urgent need to bolster military recruitment. And to achieve that, the younger generation must be inspired to join the armed forces. The parade serves that purpose. Regardless of political views, we must all support and be proud of our military. I was happy to see patriotic Americans uniting to celebrate our Army. Tawsif Anam
Memories of enemies
Chicago: Trump got his big, beautiful parade this past weekend, but it’s unlikely he brought back memories of any of our great leaders while reviewing the troops. However, it is possible that instead of imagining FDR, JFK or even Ronald Reagan up there on the reviewing stand, the viewers only saw images of Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong and Saddam Hussein. To be sure, it was a disgusting display better suited for a Third World country and a tinhorn dictator. All that was missing was the prez wearing a military uniform with lots of shiny medals. Maybe next year? Bob Ory
United opposition
Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.: On Saturday, Trump got his expensive military parade, on par with some of the world’s dictatorships. His gift to millions here was galvanizing the nation to support democracy and oppose his administration. We know he is a self-centered hypocrite who does not respect the rule of law. June 14 was his birthday, but his gift to our nation was a reminder that it is about “liberty and justice for all.” I hope someone gave him a copy of the Constitution to not only read but honor. Steven Goldfinger
Humble pride
Newton, N.J.: To Voicer John Brindisi: With the tunnel vision typical of the Trumpian slime, you castigate the media for failing to cover Fat Hitler’s ego parade. John, anyone with a brain knows this event was strictly a propaganda move by Felony Donnie, and all the networks (except, of course, Fox News) aren’t in the business of glorifying a wannabe dictator. Real Americans do appreciate the military. We just don’t use it as an ego boost. Michael Schnackenberg
Nothing but disrespect
Dover, Del.: Voicer Arlene Reilly must have missed the thousands of veterans who were protesting the Big Fat Lying Felon wasting money, while veterans were never respected by the 34-time felon whose “bone spurs” prevented him from serving in the military, and who said they were not worthy of medical care or housing. Hopefully, you are one of the millionaire beneficiaries of a man who barely won an election to avoid prison for his various crimes. Chalky White
‘May’ day
Scranton, Pa.: The president who nodded off at his recent birthday parade said he “may” call the governor of Minnesota following the assassination of the Democratic leader of the state legislature. I suppose, that is, if Trump can stay awake long enough to give his condolences to Gov. Tim Walz, who he called “a grossly incompetent person” and “terrible governor.” Who knows? Trump “may” even call the family of the slain representative, Melissa Hortman, whose husband was also killed in the brazen attack. It’s also possible that Walz “may” hang up on Trump if he bothers to call. I wouldn’t blame him, though it’s unlikely, as Walz has compassion and empathy, unlike the convicted felon who would more likely pardon the assassin than regret his rhetoric that is ushering in a bloody new chapter of political violence in America. Vin Morabito
Targeting tantrum
Howard Beach: Trump ranted on Truth Social about ordering ICE to go after immigrants in blue cities, which he says are the “Democrat Power Centers.” Sounds like someone is a little grumpy after more than five million people attended the “No Kings” protests while the viewing stands for his military parade were in large part empty. Reality rearing its ugly head. Barbara Berg
Help needed
Bronx: Our fearless leader had to backtrack on some deportation activity after the agriculture and hospitality industries lobbied and forced him into realizing that without immigrant labor, farms and hotels are facing difficulties. I guess the argument that immigrants are taking away American jobs is just propaganda, or these jobs would have easily been filled by Americans lining up for these opportunities. Maria Bonsanti
Warmaking
Highland Falls, N.Y.: Once again, America steps in as world policeman (and Israel’s guarantor) to dictate to another sovereign country what it can or can’t do. No nukes for Iran! As if Iran could not put one together tomorrow if it wanted. As far back as 1965, Pakistan’s President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said his country “would eat grass” but it would have nukes. It does. North Korea? Check. It is well-known (despite denials) that Israel has a nuclear arsenal capable of turning the entire Middle East into glass and throwing the world back two centuries, as radioactive oil is of no use to anyone. Iran’s leaders have no more interest in seeing their country vanish under mushroom clouds than Pakistan or North Korea. The biggest danger here is that Israel and the U.S. keep killing Iranian leaders until only the crazies are left. Then something bad could really happen, much worse than an Iranian nuke going into cold storage. Joe Cyr
Original Americans
Manhattan: I am writing to express my concerns about the upcoming Juneteenth Celebration Day. Juneteenth is an American holiday, it has no connections to Africa or any African or Caribbean country. The so-called red, black and green flag is not connected to Black Americans. Our flag as Americans is red, white and blue. It would be appreciated if Afro and Caribbean immigrants would respect Juneteenth and the meaning it has for all Americans, specifically American Descendants of Slavery. Heyward Johnson
Silent drop
Flushing: To Voicer Rick Tilson: You are so right. The deliverymen have time to take a picture of the package, but they can’t be bothered to ring the bell to let us know the package has arrived so it is not stolen by “porch pirates.” Very sad. A lot of theft could be avoided. Laya Goldman
