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TOCALO Co Ltd develops surface modifying technologies in Japan and internationally. The company produces various functional coatings through thermal spraying technology, including vacuum plasma, atmospheric plasma, electric arc, and high-velocity oxy-fuel spraying, as well as powder, rod, and wire flame spraying processes. It also provides peripheral surface technologies, such as WIN KOTE, CDC-ZAC, and Lite Force coatings; and TD, PTA, and PVD processes.

TOCALO Co Ltd

The cryptocurrency Toncoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TON</a>) experienced a significant drop <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40542542/elon-musk-reacts-as-telegram-founder-gets-arrested-in-france-reportedly-faces-20-years-in-prison-on">following the arrest of</a> Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France on Saturday.
What Happened: The value of Toncoin, which was developed by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, plummeted by more than 19% after reports emerged that Durov, the CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget Airport in France.
At the time of writing, Toncoin is trading at slightly over $5.39, marking a 19.77% decrease, according to data from <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro. </a>
Durov, a Russian-French billionaire, was apprehended on Saturday evening while traveling on his private jet. The arrest is linked to an ongoing police investigation in France, which is reportedly focused on the lack of moderators on Telegram, allowing criminal activity to persist on the platform, reported Reuters.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40542646/tesla-ramps-up-cybertruck-production-drone-footage-reveals-rows-of-stainless-steel-behemoths-at-giga">Tesla Ramps Up Cybertruck Production: Drone Footage Reveals Rows Of Stainless Steel Behemoths At Giga Texas</a>
Pavel Durov, who launched Telegram with his brother in 2013, exited Russia in 2014 after defying government orders to close down opposition groups on his VKontakte social network. Following Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Telegram emerged as a key platform for unfiltered information from both sides about the war and its political implications.
The Russian foreign ministry stated that it is seeking clarification on Durov&#8217;s situation and has called for his release.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40034466/elon-musk-jokes-about-telegram-ceos-claim-of-100-biological-children-says-genghis-khan-would-have-sc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Telegram</a> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40034466/elon-musk-jokes-about-telegram-ceos-claim-of-100-biological-children-says-genghis-khan-would-have-sc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEO</a>&nbsp;is expected to appear in court on Sunday.
Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk made several posts on X calling for Durov&#8217;s release. He also posted a clip of Durov&#8217;s recent interview with Tucker Carlson where he praised the X owner for bringing back free speech to the platform.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreePavel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreePavel</a> <a href="https://t.co/B7AcJWswMs">pic.twitter.com/B7AcJWswMs</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827572720936030703?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, other cryptocurrencies were also trading in the red. Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) was down 0.59% in the last 24 hours, while Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) was down 0.64% and Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) lost 3.65%. 
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Telegram CEO Arrest In France Sends Toncoin (TON) Plummeting By Over 20%: Elon Musk Calls For Freeing Pavel Durov

EV giant Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) is seemingly ramping up production of the company&#8217;s Cybertruck, as seen in the recent drone footage of the company&#8217;s gigafactory in Texas.
What Happened: The drone footage by YouTuber Joe Tegtmeyer of Tesla&#8217;s gigafactory in Texas shows rows and rows of stainless steel vehicles lined outside the factory and awaiting deliveries. The footage was reportedly captured on Aug. 23 morning. 
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The YouTuber also shared a picture of at least 50 Cybertrucks parallel parked at the factory lot with the caption, &#8220;The Cybertruck Armada has activated.&#8221; Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill also shared the image.
Tesla did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga's</a> request for comment.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The <a href="https://twitter.com/cybertruck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cybertruck</a> Armada has activated &#x1f4d0;&#x1f920; <a href="https://t.co/XC3xu50AtY">pic.twitter.com/XC3xu50AtY</a>
&mdash; Joe Tegtmeyer &#x1f680; &#x1f920;&#x1f6f8;&#x1f60e; (@JoeTegtmeyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeTegtmeyer/status/1827353443633074289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: Tesla started delivering the Cybertruck in November 2023 and is currently ramping up production&nbsp;with the aim of delivering 250,000 units starting in 2025. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously said that production,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39590408/tesla-to-deliver-foundation-series-cybertrucks-through-late-2024-due-to-continued-high-demand-contra" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and not demand</a>, is the biggest hurdle in ramping up Cybertruck deliveries.
According to Kelley Blue Book estimates, Tesla sold 8,755 Cybertrucks in the second quarter in the U.S., and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38783121/tesla-cybertrucks-are-filling-up-in-used-car-markets-but-would-you-pay-these-steep-prices" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2,803 in the first quarter</a>.&nbsp;
Tesla has touched a weekly production rate of 1,300 Cybertrucks, Musk said at Tesla&#8217;s annual shareholder meeting in early June. The company is looking to increase it further this year to touch 2,500 units by year-end, he added.
Cybertruck&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39876213/tesla-confirms-it-aims-to-start-selling-cybertruck-in-canada-this-year-pre-orders-open-for-150" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">production is on track</a>&nbsp;to achieve profitability by the end of the year, Tesla said last month.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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</ul>
Photo: courtesy of Tesla

Tech

TSLA

Tesla Ramps Up Cybertruck Production: Drone Footage Reveals Rows Of Stainless Steel Behemoths At Giga Texas

Hezbollah has launched a massive rocket and drone attack on Israel. This comes as a response to the assassination of a senior commander in Beirut last month. Israeli jets retaliated with airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
What Happened: Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group, launched over 320 Katyusha rockets at Israel, hitting 11 military targets, reported Reuters. The group stated that this attack marked the &#8220;first phase&#8221; of its retaliation and that a full response would take &#8220;some time.&#8221;
Israel&#8217;s military had anticipated the attack and conducted airstrikes in Lebanon just before the rocket barrage began. The strikes were primarily in southern Lebanon, but the military was prepared to strike anywhere deemed a threat.
Israel&#8217;s cabinet convened to discuss the situation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&#8216;s office announcing the meeting. Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel would respond to the situation on the ground but was not seeking a full-scale war.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40542388/kamala-harris-clashes-with-jd-vance-as-trumps-vp-pick-predicts-ex-president-would-veto-federal-abort">Kamala Harris Clashes With JD Vance As Trump&#8217;s VP Pick Predicts Ex-President Would Veto Federal Abortion Ban If Re-Elected: &#8216;We Know He Will Sign…&#8217;</a>
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared a state of emergency, stating, &#8220;We have conducted precise strikes in Lebanon in order to thwart an imminent threat against the citizens of Israel. We are closely following developments in Beirut, and we are determined to use all the means at our disposal in order to defend our citizens.&#8221;
Hezbollah&#8217;s attack follows a missile strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights last month, which killed 12 individuals. In response, the Israeli military assassinated a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut, further escalating tensions.
A Reuters security source in Lebanon reported at least 40 Israeli strikes had hit various towns in the country&#8217;s south. A resident of the southern Lebanese town of Zibqeen described the situation as apocalyptic.
Why It Matters: The recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah comes amid ongoing regional tensions. This includes the prolonged Israel-Hamas war, which has seen significant developments, such as the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/08/40094152/israel-confirms-death-of-hamas-second-in-command-mohammed-deif">death of Hamas&#8217; second-in-command</a>, Mohammed Deif, in a strike in Gaza. 
Efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict have been ongoing, with President Joe Biden last month <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/07/39971210/biden-harris-meet-netanyahu-to-discuss-ending-prolonged-israel-hamas-war-report">meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu</a> to discuss a ceasefire and the release of hostages. 
Meanwhile, a top U.S. general made a surprise visit to the Middle East on Saturday to discuss strategies for preventing any escalation in tensions that could lead to a broader conflict, according to the publication. Air Force General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, started his trip in Jordan and plans to visit Egypt and Israel in the coming days to gather insights from military leaders.
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Photo: mohammad kassir/Shutterstock.com
 This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/navdeep-yadav" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Navdeep Yadav.</a>

Politics

Global

Hezbollah Barrages Israel With Rockets And Drones, Israeli Jets Strike Back In Lebanon As Middle East Tensions Rise

Two former Open AI employees wrote to California&#8217;s Governor Gavin Newsom last week expressing their disappointment at the company&#8217;s arguments against SB 1047, a bill proposed in California to place safety protocols in the development of artificial intelligence. 
What Happened: &#8220;We joined OpenAI because we wanted to ensure the safety of the incredibly powerful AI systems the company is developing. But we resigned from OpenAI because we lost trust that it would safely, honestly, and responsibly develop its AI systems,&#8221; William Saunders and Daniel Kokotajlo wrote in the letter <a href="https://static.politico.com/ed/a3/b49946554f5ead081a5df2063048/letter-from-openai-whistleblowers-on-sb-1047-2024-08-22-2.pdf">shared </a>with Politico. 
AI development might pose a risk of &#8220;critical harm to society&#8221; such as unprecedented cyberattacks or assisting in the creation of biological weapons, they said, while also warnings of &#8220;catastrophic harm to the public&#8221; if AI models are developed without adequate safety precautions
About Bill SB 1047: The bill, introduced by Senator&nbsp;Scott Wiener&nbsp;(D-Calif.), mandates safety testing for advanced AI models costing over $100 million to develop or requiring significant computing power.
The bill also requires developers to include a "kill switch" to shut down AI models if they malfunction. The state attorney general would have the authority to sue non-compliant developers, especially if the AI poses a threat to critical systems like the power grid.
Additionally, third-party auditors would be hired to assess safety practices, and whistleblowers would receive protections.
Open AI&#8217;s Argument Against Bill: Sam Altman&#8216;s OpenAI has argued that AI regulation<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/08/40484108/gavin-newsoms-california-wants-to-regulate-ai-but-its-facing-stiff-opposition-from-both-big-tech-as"> should be handled at the federal level</a>, citing the bill's potential to create an uncertain legal environment.
However, the two former employees are of the opinion that the company&#8217;s complaints about the bill are &#8220;not constructive&#8221; and &#8220;don&#8217;t seem in good faith.&#8221; 
&#8220;We cannot wait for Congress to act — they&#8217;ve explicitly said that they aren&#8217;t willing to pass&nbsp;meaningful AI regulation,&#8221; Saunders and Kokotajlo wrote. &#8220;If they ever do, it can preempt CA legislation.&#8221;
&#8220;Sam Altman, our former boss, has repeatedly called for AI regulation. Now, when actual regulation is on the table, he opposes it,&#8221; they alleged. 
They also requested the California Legislature and Governor Newsom to pass the bill into law. 
Check out more of&nbsp;Benzinga&#8217;s&nbsp;Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Former OpenAI Employees Slam Sam Altman-Led Company After It Opposes California's AI Regulation Bill, Warn Gavin Newsom Of 'Catastrophic Harm To Society'

EV giant Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) has launched its new referral program after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38350966/tesla-ends-referral-benefits-this-month-musk-teases-new-program-in-few-months-what-happens-to-curren">scrapping its predecessor in April.</a>
What Happened: Tesla owners can now earn $500 by referring someone to buy a new Tesla vehicle. The money can then be used for supercharging, software upgrades or even to purchase merchandise. 
The new buyer, meanwhile, will also get $1000 off on their purchase as part of the program. 
However, new customers cannot purchase the company&#8217;s latest offering- the Cybertruck- with a referral and get a discount. The referral discount only applies to the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. 
Why It Matters:&nbsp;Tesla's referral program aims to reward customers for their loyalty to the brand. Customers can gain benefits by making their first Tesla product purchase, referring other first-time customers, or even continuing to buy more eligible products.
Tesla ended its older referral program in April across all markets. Tesla CEO Elon Musk then assured that the company is not removing the referral program but working on a new one. 
The end of the program came a few days after Musk said that the company&#8217;s sales system had become &#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38285714/no-more-inventory-discounts-on-tesla-cars-as-ceo-elon-musk-says-sales-system-has-turned-complex-and">complex and inefficient.</a>&#8220;
Tesla customers who have credits pending from the previous referral program can continue to redeem those on the Tesla App until they expire, the company says on its website. 
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Image via Unsplash

Tesla Buyers Can Earn $1000 Off Under This New Referral Program After Elon Musk-Led EV Giant Scrapped Older One In April: No Discount For Cybertruck

Chairman of social media platform X and billionaire Elon Musk on Saturday expressed shock at the alleged arrest of Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov. 
What Happened: &#8220;POV: It's 2030 in Europe and you're being executed for liking a meme,&#8221; Musk wrote on X in response to reports of Durov&#8217;s arrest, hinting that the arrest is a result of extreme regulation and censorship in the region.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">POV: It's 2030 in Europe and you're being executed for liking a meme <a href="https://t.co/OkZ6YS3u2P">https://t.co/OkZ6YS3u2P</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827484648454418881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;20 years …,&#8221; Musk wrote in seeming dismay to another X user who said that Durov faces 20 years in prison.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">20 years … <a href="https://t.co/UknQRzqXw2">https://t.co/UknQRzqXw2</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827495859837157712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Yeah, this is super messed up!,&#8221; Musk said in a separate post.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Yeah, this is super messed up!
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827537046577066138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Durov&#8217;s Arrest: Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening, Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-25/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-arrested-at-paris-airport-afp-reports">reported</a>, citing Agence France-Presse news agency. Law enforcement is reportedly concerned that the lack of moderators on the app is allowing criminal activity on the platform such as fraud and organized crime, among others.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40034466/elon-musk-jokes-about-telegram-ceos-claim-of-100-biological-children-says-genghis-khan-would-have-sc">The CEO</a> is expected to appear in court on Sunday, Bloomberg added. 
Telegram was founded in 2013 by Durov with his brother Nikolai and is one of the most popular messaging apps now. The CEO lives in Dubai but also holds citizenship in France. 
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Image by Tech Crunch via Flickr

Elon Musk Reacts As Telegram Founder Gets Arrested In France, Reportedly Faces '20 Years' In Prison On Criminal Charges: 'It's 2030...You're Being Executed For Liking A Meme'

The Biden administration has reportedly broadened its trade restriction list, incorporating 105 Russian and Chinese firms, for their alleged support to the Russian military in its war against Ukraine.
What Happened: According to a Reuters report on Friday, the US included 63 Russian and 42 Chinese companies in its trade restriction list. This list also comprises 18 companies from various other countries. 
The firms were targeted for different reasons, including the supply of U.S. electronics to Russian military-related parties and the production of Shahed-136 drones for Russia&#8217;s use in Ukraine.
Once added to the entity list, U.S. suppliers are required to obtain a license before shipping to these companies, the report said.
Why It Matters: This move by the U.S. government comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region. Ukraine is currently<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/24/08/40511434/zelenskyy-announces-capture-of-another-russian-village-as-ukraine-pushes-deeper-into-kursk"> capturing settlements in the Kursk region</a> while Russian forces have been steadily moving further into <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40479407/russian-president-lauds-chechnyan-troops-readying-for-ukraine-battle-during-surprise-visit-as-long-a">eastern Ukraine. </a>
Biden administration, meanwhile, is attempting to maintain pressure on companies aiding Russia&#8217;s war in Ukraine, despite existing Western sanctions aimed at disrupting that effort.
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This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo by LeStudio on Shutterstock

Team Biden Tightens Sanctions, Targets 105 Russian And Chinese Firms For Alleged Military Support To Russia

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Inc, recently conducted a poll on his social media platform, X, to gauge <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40485895/trump-calls-elon-musk-a-fantastic-guy-while-talking-about-x-love-the-job-he-has-done-and-he-has-boug">the political affiliations</a> of his 196 million followers. 
What Happened: Musk asked his followers on X, formerly known as Twitter, whether they identify as Democrats, Republicans, or Independents.
The poll, conducted on platform X, reached 31.9 million people and received 1.6 million responses.
As per the poll, 49.4% of the respondents identified as Republicans, 35.2% as Independents, and 15.3% as Democrats.
These results are in stark contrast to other media polls that have shown the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40525794/trump-vs-harris-new-poll-shows-vice-presidents-favorability-surges-by-double-digits-as-rivals-slips">Democrats leading in the presidential</a> race, with Kamala Harris as the nominee.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40504636/federal-judge-who-overturned-boeings-72m-verdict-over-stealing-trade-secrets-admits-trading-up-t" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal Judge Who Overturned Boeing's $72M Verdict Over Stealing Trade Secrets Admits Trading Up To $15K In Airplane Maker's Stock While Overseeing The Case: ‘Could Be Some Market Movement, But It's Not Going To Influence My Decision'</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">If you live in the USA, do you consider yourself
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827155331002007843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Why It Matters: This poll is particularly interesting in light of Musk&#8217;s recent political statements. Despite identifying as a moderate Democrat in the past, Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40329702/elon-musk-who-once-queued-for-6-hours-to-shake-obamas-hand-explains-why-hes-now-supporting-trump-my">publicly voiced his support for ex-President Donald Trump</a> earlier this month. He also clarified that his endorsement did not mean he agreed with all of Trump&#8217;s actions or statements.
Just a week before the poll, Musk <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40476241/elon-musk-conducts-a-super-unscientific-poll-to-gauge-voter-preference-between-trump-and-harris-here">conducted another poll on X</a>, asking his followers to choose between Trump and Harris as the next president of the United States. The results showed a significant preference for Trump, with 78.1% of the votes.
Trump has also expressed openness to appointing Musk to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40434114/elon-musk-denies-donating-tesla-cybertruck-to-ramzan-kadyrov-after-russian-general-showed-off-truck">cabinet or advisory role</a>. However, the ex-president has been hinting at the potential <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40453651/elon-musk-in-a-trump-cabinet-ex-president-calls-tesla-ceo-a-very-smart-guy-hints-at-scrapping-7-">discontinuation of the $7,500 tax credit </a>for electric vehicle purchases if he is re-elected.
 Former Tesla executive Rohan Patel has been throwing <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40496129/former-tesla-exec-says-harris-not-trump-will-be-far-better-for-ev-giants-long-term-success">support behind Harris.</a> Patel earlier this week said Harris will be better for the EV giant's long-term success, despite Musk putting his weight behind Trump. &#8220;&#8230;I&#8217;d probably still trust Kamala more even on the issues where I&#8217;d generally prefer a Republican," Patel wrote on X.
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This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image Via Shutterstock

Elon Musk Asks His 196M X Followers If They Identify As Democrat Or Republican: Billionaire Receives 1.6M Responses, Majority Supports This Party

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Saturday expressed optimism for rival rocket maker Boeing Space (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) under its new CEO, hours after NASA announced that the astronauts who went to space aboard Boeing&#8217;s Starliner <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40541938/nasa-chooses-spacex-over-boeing-for-stranded-astronauts-return-starliners-future-in-doubt">would return via a SpaceX vehicle</a>.
What Happened: &#8220;The new Boeing CEO is spending time in the factories. That is the right thing to do,&#8221; Musk said. The new Boeing CEO, Kelly Ortberg, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40282460/boeings-new-ceo-kelly-ortberg-shifts-base-to-seattle-amid-airplane-makers-safety-crisis">took the reins of the company </a>from Dave Calhoun earlier this month. Ortberg then said that he would be based in Seattle, close to the company&#8217;s manufacturing facilities in Renton.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The new Boeing CEO is spending time in the factories. That is the right thing to do.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827497171899285803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Musk&#8217;s comment on Boeing comes hours after NASA announced that it would return the two astronauts who went to space via Boeing&#8217;s Starliner spacecraft- Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore- via a SpaceX vehicle in February. The Starliner spacecraft would return to Earth by itself in early September, the agency said, citing its commitment to safety. 
Why It Matters: Williams and Wilmore launched into space on June 5 aboard&nbsp;Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Though the two were supposed to return in about eight days, technical issues identified with the spacecraft while docking delayed the return journey.&nbsp;
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has been marred by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/05/38659763/boeings-starliner-crewed-test-flight-postponed-due-to-technical-issue-continuing-challenges-in-s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">several delays</a>&nbsp;since the start. The spacecraft was supposed to have its first uncrewed test flight in 2015 which was delayed up to 2019. The spacecraft then failed to achieve its intended orbit. In 2022, the spacecraft completed its first successful uncrewed flight to the International Space Station.
Musk in May pegged the delay at Boeing on "<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38664485/spacex-ceo-elon-musk-blames-boeings-starliner-delay-on-too-many-non-technical-managers">too many non-technical managers</a>" at the company, reiterating his opinion that manufacturing companies should have engineers at the management level. 
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read More:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40521564/bmw-outpaces-tesla-with-more-bev-registrations-in-europe-in-july-than-elon-musks-ev-giant-for-the-fi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMW Outpaces Tesla With More BEV Registrations In Europe In July Than Elon Musk's EV Giant For The First Time</a></li>
</ul>
Image Via Shutterstock

SPACE

Elon Musk Lauds New Boeing CEO After NASA Picks SpaceX To Return Starliner Crew: 'This Is The Right Thing To Do'

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio.) on Saturday suggested that if former President Donald Trump were to return to the White House, he would veto a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38150115/donald-trump-backs-away-from-national-abortion-ban-this-is-all-about-the-will-of-the-people">federal abortion ban.</a>
What Happened: Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president, made the statement during an interview with NBC News. &#8220;I think he would,&#8221; Vance said, adding that Trump had explicitly stated this.
Vance, in the same discussion, stressed the importance of focusing on Trump&#8217;s actual remarks on abortion, and how they contrast with the Democrats&#8217; allegations. &#8220;Donald Trump wants to end this culture war over this particular topic,&#8221; Vance asserted.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">WATCH: Trump running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) commits to not imposing a federal abortion ban.<a href="https://twitter.com/kwelkernbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kwelkernbc</a>: "If such a piece of legislation landed on Donald Trump&#39;s desk, would he veto it?"<a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JDVance</a>: "I think he would. He said that explicitly that he would." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MTP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MTP</a> <a href="https://t.co/wAY888A9TL">pic.twitter.com/wAY888A9TL</a>
&mdash; Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeetThePress/status/1827473548853616804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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This comment was in response to Trump&#8217;s earlier proclamation in April, where he affirmed he wouldn&#8217;t endorse a nationwide abortion ban.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40504636/federal-judge-who-overturned-boeings-72m-verdict-over-stealing-trade-secrets-admits-trading-up-t">Federal Judge Who Overturned Boeing&#8217;s $72M Verdict Over Stealing Trade Secrets Admits Trading Up To $15K In Airplane Maker&#8217;s Stock While Overseeing The Case: &#8216;Could Be Some Market Movement, But It&#8217;s Not Going To Influence My Decision&#8217;</a>
Trump had earlier hailed the reversal of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/22/06/27844012/breaking-supreme-court-overturns-roe-v-wade">Roe v. Wade</a> as a &#8220;remarkable achievement&#8221; and voiced his support for states determining their own abortion laws. &#8220;Now the states have it, and the states are putting out what they want. It&#8217;s the will of the people,&#8221; he stated.
Despite this, Democrats have voiced doubts about Trump&#8217;s assertion. Vice President Kamala Harris, in a social media post, expressed that if Trump were to reclaim the presidency, &#8220;we know he will sign a national abortion ban.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Trump hand-picked three members of the Supreme Court because he intended for them to overturn Roe v Wade—as he intended, they did. If he is re-elected, we know he will sign a national abortion ban. As President, I will restore reproductive freedom.
&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1827459367920185795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: The debate arises as Democrats strive to link Trump with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39654177/trump-distances-himself-from-project-2025-amid-rising-controversy-i-know-nothing">Project 2025</a>, a conservative think tank&#8217;s comprehensive &#8220;governing agenda&#8221; that proposes to withdraw the Food and Drug Administration&#8217;s (FDA) approval of an abortion drug named mifepristone. Trump has refuted any awareness of Project 2025, despite claims of at least 140 former Trump administration members participating in the project.
The crucial abortion debate is expected to fuel division within the Republican party. Trump&#8217;s hesitancy in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/03/31262345/florida-republicans-propose-six-week-abortion-ban-further-narrowing-abortion-access" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endorsing nationwide limitations</a>&nbsp;would place him directly in opposition to influential figures in the anti-abortion movement who are advocating for federal measures. Trump himself has acknowledged that the Republican Party&#8217;s stance on abortion has been detrimental to its electoral success, suggesting that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39198912/trump-feels-stance-on-abortion-hurt-the-republican-party-theyve-never-understood-how-to-talk-about-i">the party has never understood</a> how to talk about it.
Meanwhile, philanthropist Melinda French Gates has emphasized the importance of this issue, stating that she cannot vote for a candidate who rolls back women&#8217;s reproductive rights. &#8220;I <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39392292/melinda-french-gates-voting-for-biden-not-trump-in-2024-election-cannot-vote-for-a-man-who-rolls-bac">cannot vote for a man </a>who rolls back women&#8217;s reproductive rights and says the heinous things he does about women.&#8221;
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This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image Via Shutterstock

Kamala Harris Clashes With JD Vance As Trump's VP Pick Predicts Ex-President Would Veto Federal Abortion Ban If Re-Elected: 'We Know He Will Sign…'

Elon Musk recently conducted a poll on X to gauge the political leanings of its users, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39872015/teslas-elon-musk-recently-pledged-a-huge-donation-to-donald-trump-and-the-ex-president-returned-the">garnering over 1.4 million responses</a>.
What Happened: On Saturday, Musk posted a poll on his X account, asking his followers in the U.S. to identify their political affiliations. 
The options provided were Democrat, Republican, and Independent. The poll, which is still open, has already received more than 1.4 million votes.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">If you live in the USA, do you consider yourself
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1827155331002007843?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The preliminary results show a significant lean towards the Republican Party, with 49.8% of respondents identifying as such. Independents follow closely behind at 35.3%, while Democrats trail at 14.9%.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/39999410/what-a-second-trump-presidency-would-mean-for-elon-musk-and-his-many-ventures">What A Second Trump Presidency Would Mean For Elon Musk And His Many Ventures</a>
Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s poll provides an interesting snapshot of the current political climate in the U.S. The high participation rate suggests a high level of political engagement among Musk&#8217;s followers, who are likely to be tech-savvy and forward-thinking individuals. 
The results so far indicate a shift towards the GOP, which could have implications for future elections and policy decisions.
It&#8217;s worth noting that Twitter polls are not scientific and the results should be taken with a grain of caution. However, they can provide valuable insights into the sentiments of a specific demographic, in this case, followers of Elon Musk.
Read Next:
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This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Elon Musk Asks On X: What Party Do You Affiliate With?

Nicole Shanahan invested a staggering $19 million of her own money into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&#8217;s failed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40429580/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-push-economic-agendas-as-election-nears">presidential campaign</a>.
What Happened: Shanahan, Kennedy&#8217;s running mate, made a hefty contribution to their campaign. This included a $4 million donation to a pro-Kennedy super PAC. Kennedy is believed to have selected Shanahan as his running mate largely because of her ability to help finance the campaign.
Despite her financial support, Kennedy announced on Friday that he was suspending his campaign and endorsing former President Donald Trump.
In an interview <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAqVn5lRdes">on</a> the &#8220;Impact Theory&#8221; podcast, Shanahan voiced her concerns about potentially drawing votes away from Trump. 
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40303946/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-clash-over-federal-reserves-autonomy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kamala Harris And Donald Trump Clash Over Federal Reserve's Autonomy</a>
&#8220;I did not put in tens of millions of dollars to be a spoiler candidate, I put in tens of millions of dollars to win to, to fix this country,&#8221; she said. 
&#8220;There&#8217;s two options that we&#8217;re looking at and one is staying in, forming that new party, but we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and Walz presidency because we draw votes from Trump, or we draw somehow more votes from Trump,&#8221; added Shanahan in the interview. 
Shanahan&#8217;s wealth, which includes a reported $1 billion from her divorce from former Alphabet co-founder Sergey Brin, enabled her to be one of the most significant self-funding candidates of the 2024 cycle, as noted by Bloomberg News. 
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However, her substantial investment did not result in electoral success for Kennedy.
Why It Matters: The unsuccessful campaign, despite the massive financial backing, highlights the unpredictable nature of political campaigns and the potential risks involved in such large-scale investments. 
Shanahan&#8217;s decision to support Kennedy&#8217;s campaign, and her subsequent concerns about drawing votes away from Trump, reflect the complex dynamics and strategic considerations involved in political funding. 
The case also underscores the fact that financial backing, even when substantial, does not guarantee electoral success.
Read Next:
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This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image: Shutterstock

RFK Jr.'s Running Mate Nicole Shanahan Invested $19M In Failed Campaign

Police have apprehended 66-year-old Ronald Lee Syvrud of Cochise County, Arizona, who is accused of threatening to kill <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Trump</a>.
The arrest occurred during a manhunt that took place while Trump was visiting Arizona this week.
Authorities say Syvrud made death threats against Trump in social media posts over the past two weeks, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86l4p583y6o" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> BBC.
Trump was in Cochise County on Thursday, touring the U.S.-Mexico border.
In July, Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet grazed him.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40541313/adam-kinzinger-donald-trump-suffocating-the-soul-of-the-gop-the-republican-party-is-no-longer-co" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adam Kinzinger: Donald Trump &#8216;Suffocating The Soul&#8217; Of The GOP &#8211; &#8216;The Republican Party Is No Longer Conservative!&#8217;</a>
Police reported that the suspect, from Benson, Arizona, about 50 miles southeast of Tucson, was apprehended within Cochise County, as announced by the Cochise County Sheriff&#8217;s Office on Thursday afternoon.
The office stated, &#8220;This subject has been taken into custody without incident.&#8221;
During Trump&#8217;s visit, reporters asked him whether he was aware of the ongoing search for the suspect.
&#8220;No, I have not heard that, but I am not that surprised and the reason is because I want to do things that are very bad for the bad guys,&#8221; Trump said.
This is not the first threat directed at a presidential candidate this election cycle.
Earlier this month, a 66-year-old man from Virginia was arrested for allegedly threatening Harris and other public officials, BBC added.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Equities

Arizona Man Arrested For Threatening Donald Trump: Suspect Caught Amid Border Visit

Kamala Harris has gained an 8-point lead over <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40429580/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-push-economic-agendas-as-election-nears">Donald Trump in a national poll</a>.
What Happened: The poll, carried out by Bullfinch August 19-21, shows Harris with 47% support among registered voters, while Trump trails at 39%.
Ever since President Joe Biden withdrew his reelection bid, making Harris the Democratic candidate, she has outperformed Trump in most polls.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40303946/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-clash-over-federal-reserves-autonomy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kamala Harris And Donald Trump Clash Over Federal Reserve's Autonomy</a>
However, the political landscape may shift. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&#8216;s exit from the race and endorsement of Trump may boost the Republican ticket. An NBC analysis suggested that Kennedy&#8217;s withdrawal could potentially benefit Trump more than it would harm him, possibly reducing Harris&#8217; lead.
A recent poll conducted <a href="https://www.fdu.edu/news/fdu-poll-finds-race-and-gender-push-harris-above-trump-nationally/">by</a> Fairleigh Dickinson University indicates that voter preferences are significantly swayed by race and gender considerations.
The poll reveals a 7-point lead for Harris over Trump (50% to 43%). However, this lead widens considerably when voters factor in the race or gender of the candidates.
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The survey incorporated an experiment to gauge the influence of race and gender on voting choices. When voters were prompted to consider the race or gender of the candidates, Harris&#8217; lead over Trump grew. Conversely, without such prompting, support for both candidates was almost equal.
Why It Matters: The withdrawal of Kennedy from the race and his endorsement of Trump could impact the dynamics of the upcoming election.
While Harris currently holds a comfortable lead, the redistribution of Kennedy&#8217;s supporters could tighten the race.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the final lineup and potential outcome of the race.
Read Next:
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This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Trump Vs Harris: Kamala Harris Takes 8-Point Lead In New Poll, With Race And Gender Shaping Voter Preferences

Kamala Harris&#8216; address at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) significantly outperformed performed Donald Trump&#8216;s speech at the Republican National Convention (RNC) by a<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40429580/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-push-economic-agendas-as-election-nears"> whopping 22% in TV ratings</a>.
What Happened: The ratings data, which combined viewership from seven networks, revealed that Harris&#8217; speech scored a rating of 15, while Trump&#8217;s address trailed behind with a rating of 12.3. 
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40303946/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-clash-over-federal-reserves-autonomy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kamala Harris And Donald Trump Clash Over Federal Reserve's Autonomy</a>
Industry research firm Nielsen disclosed that the final night of the DNC averaged 26.2 million viewers across 15 networks, with Harris&#8217; speech alone pulling in 28.9 million viewers. This made the fourth night of the convention the most viewed, with viewership increasing by 30% from the previous nights.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Overnight ratings for the acceptance speeches of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Seven networks combined: Harris &#8211; 15.0 (10:30-11:15p) Trump &#8211; 12.3 (10:30-12m) Difference: 22%
&mdash; Michael Mulvihill (@mulvihill79) <a href="https://twitter.com/mulvihill79/status/1827014196221157648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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Trump, who is known for his fixation with ratings, had earlier predicted that the RNC&#8217;s viewership numbers would be unsurpassable by the DNC. However, the DNC outpaced the RNC&#8217;s viewership totals for each day of the conventions.
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Adding to Trump&#8217;s disappointment, the top market for Harris&#8217; speech on the final day was reported to be West Palm Beach, Florida, located adjacent to his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Why It Matters: The higher viewership for Harris&#8217; speech not only signifies her popularity but also indicates a potential shift in public sentiment towards the Democratic party. The fact that the top market for Harris&#8217; speech was West Palm Beach, Florida, a location close to Trump&#8217;s estate, could be seen as a symbolic victory for the Democrats.
These ratings could also be a reflection of the public&#8217;s interest and engagement in the upcoming elections. 
With the DNC outperforming the RNC in viewership for each day of the conventions, it suggests that the public is keenly following the political discourse and is invested in the election process.
Read Next:
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This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

TV Audience For Kamala Harris' DNC Speech Surpasses Donald Trump's RNC Address By 22%

In the run-up to the highly anticipated Sept. 10 presidential debate, Mary Trump, niece of Donald Trump, has offered some strategic <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40429580/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-push-economic-agendas-as-election-nears">advice to Vice President Kamala Harris</a>.
What Happened: Mary Trump proposed that Harris should capitalize on her prosecutorial background during the debate. Speaking <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/23/kamala-harris-mary-trump-debate-advice/74918685007/">with</a> USA Today, she advised Harris to concentrate on debunking her uncle&#8217;s inaccurate assertions, rather than focusing on her policy plans.
Mary Trump, a known critic of her uncle, depicted the election as a contest between a prosecutor and a criminal, a tactic that has been a key part of Harris&#8217; campaign from the start. 
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40303946/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-clash-over-federal-reserves-autonomy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kamala Harris And Donald Trump Clash Over Federal Reserve's Autonomy</a>
&#8220;Honestly, my advice to her would be keep doing what you&#8217;re doing. I think the setup of the prosecutor versus the criminal is right in her wheelhouse, but she has also proven not to be afraid to mock Donald because he deserves our mockery,&#8221; Mary Trump told the outlet.
Both Harris and Donald Trump have initiated their debate preparations, with Harris conducting practice debates at her alma mater, Howard University. The debate is set for Sept. 10 in Philadelphia and will be broadcast by ABC.
&#8220;I like the fact that she refers to him as &#8216;Donald&#8217; because he doesn&#8217;t deserve anybody&#8217;s respect at this point, and she will not let him get away with lying repeatedly,&#8221; she added.
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&#8220;I think she needs to understand that she&#8217;s going to have to do the job of fact-checking in real time and should focus more on uncovering Donald Trump&#8217;s nonsense by refuting his lies and underscoring just how dangerous his vision for America is, and not worry so much about outlining the Democratic party&#8217;s policy positions,&#8221; Mary Trump said.
&#8220;It will be the first time a lot of the American people actually see what a petty, small, insecure, weak man Donald Trump really is,&#8221; she added.
Why It Matters: This advice from Mary Trump comes at a crucial time as the debate could be a game-changer in the upcoming elections. Harris&#8217; background as a prosecutor could be a significant advantage in countering Donald Trump&#8217;s claims. 
The emphasis on fact-checking in real-time could also help in maintaining the integrity of the debate and ensuring that the focus remains on substantial issues rather than unfounded claims. 
The upcoming debate is eagerly awaited as it could potentially shape the narrative for the rest of the campaign.
Read Next:
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This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Mary Trump Offers Debate Strategy For Kamala Harris: Let People 'See What A Petty, Small, Insecure, Weak Man Donald Trump Really Is'

Two astronauts who have been at the International Space Station since early June will return aboard a SpaceX vehicle rather than the Boeing Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BA#NYSE">BA</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40386891/nasa-to-finalize-decision-on-return-of-sunita-williams-butch-wilmore-from-iss-by-late-august-says-bo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacecraft that transported them there</a>.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced on Saturday that astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams will stay in orbit until early next year, when they will return aboard a SpaceX spacecraft, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/science/space-astronomy/nasa-taps-spacex-to-return-starliner-astronauts-dealing-blow-to-boeing-0d267d07" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> The Wall Street Journal.
This decision is a blow to Boeing, which spent years developing the Starliner vehicle that carried the astronauts to the space station on June 6.
During the flight, multiple thrusters temporarily malfunctioned, and engineers discovered further helium leaks in its propulsion system, The Wall Street Journal added.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40359112/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-thinks-its-a-good-idea-to-invite-trump-to-giga-texas-he-is-a-big-fan-of-manufact" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla CEO Elon Musk Thinks It&#8217;s A &#8216;Good Idea&#8217; To Invite Trump To Giga Texas: &#8216;He Is A Big Fan Of Manufacturing In America&#8217;</a>
In the weeks following, NASA and Boeing have debated whether the vehicle&#8217;s issues would pose any risks if it were to return the astronauts to Earth.
Opting for SpaceX to return Wilmore and Williams will extend their ISS stay to about eight months, far beyond the original eight-day mission planned for testing Starliner, with a return initially set for mid-June.
Nelson mentioned that he had discussed the Starliner issues with Boeing&#8217;s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, who reaffirmed the company&#8217;s commitment to addressing the vehicle&#8217;s challenges.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Mark Nappi, a Boeing vice president managing Starliner, informed employees that the decision was disappointing.
Boeing had previously asserted that data from their and NASA&#8217;s evaluations indicated Starliner was safe for the return flight.
Nappi conveyed that Boeing is prepared to implement the necessary steps to align with NASA&#8217;s revised plan, emphasizing that their top priority is ensuring the safety of both the crew and the spacecraft.
NASA&#8217;s decision to not permit Boeing to attempt the return of Williams and Wilmore is likely to spark concerns about the future of the Starliner program.
Boeing has invested over a decade and reported losses exceeding $1.4 billion due to delays caused by software issues, sticky valves, and problems with the spacecraft&#8217;s parachute system, The Wall Street Journal added.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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</ul>

NASA Chooses SpaceX Over Boeing For Stranded Astronauts' Return: Starliner's Future In Doubt

The Federal Reserve is expected reduce its benchmark interest rate from a 23-year high next month, affecting consumer debt, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40541128/fed-chair-powells-signal-sets-stage-for-rate-global-central-banks-hint-at-interest-rate-cuts-in-revi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">savings, auto loans and mortgages</a>.
Experts currently predict three quarter-point reductions in September, November, and December, with the potential for deeper cuts, <a href="https://fortune.com/2024/08/23/fed-rate-cuts-personal-finance-cd-bonds-auto-loans-mortgages-credit-card-debt-borrowing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> Fortune.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated in his keynote speech at the Fed&#8217;s annual conference in Jackson Hole that it is time for the Fed to start lowering interest rates, emphasizing that the specifics of the rate cuts will be influenced by new data, future forecasts, and risk assessments.
Given Powell&#8217;s comments and recent economic trends, the central bank is anticipated to reduce its key rate by a quarter-point at next month&#8217;s meeting, with further cuts likely in the subsequent months.
Effect On Mortgages
Although the Federal Reserve&#8217;s benchmark rate doesn&#8217;t directly determine mortgage rates, it does influence them, with both typically moving in tandem, noted LendingTree senior economist Jacob Channel.
He added that mortgage rates have recently fallen in anticipation of the Fed&#8217;s expected rate cut, Fortune added.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/08/40535770/feds-powell-hints-at-policy-shifts-dollar-plunges-gold-rallies-as-investors-flock-to-rate-cut-wi" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed&#8217;s Powell Hints At Policy Shifts, Dollar Plunges, Gold Rallies As Investors Flock To Rate-Cut Winners: This Week In The Markets</a>
&#8220;It goes to show that even when the Fed isn&#8217;t doing anything and just holding steady, mortgage rates can still move,&#8221; Channel said.
Melissa Cohn, regional vice president at William Raveis Mortgage, agreed, emphasizing that the key factor is the signal the Fed is sending to the market, rather than the rate change itself.
Impact On Savers And Credit Card Debts
Greg McBride, chief credit analyst at Bankrate, advises savers to secure favorable yields now before the anticipated rate cuts start, Fortune added. &#8220;For those who might be looking at&nbsp;Certificates of Deposit&nbsp;or bonds — you want to jump on that now,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;Your credit card bill is not going to plunge the day after the next Fed meeting,&#8221; cautions LendingTree chief credit analyst Matt Schulz.
&#8220;Nobody should expect miracles,&#8221; the report read.
Nevertheless, as the benchmark rate falls, borrowers can eventually expect more favorable rates, especially since many are dealing with some of the highest credit card interest rates in decades.
WalletHub&#8217;s August Credit Card Landscape Report shows average rates of 23.18% for new offers and 21.51% for existing accounts.
Effect On Inflation &amp; Job Market
Recent government reports show that consumer prices increased by just 2.9% in July compared to the previous year, marking the smallest rise in over three years, Fortune added.
However, recent employment data raises concerns: July&#8217;s hiring was significantly lower than anticipated, and the unemployment rate has climbed to 4.3%, the highest in three years, indicating economic weakness. On the other hand, strong retail sales have eased recession worries.
The Federal Reserve&#8217;s future rate cuts will partly depend on the developments in inflation and the job market over the coming weeks and months.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Macro Economic Events

Fed Rate Cuts Coming? What You Need to Know About Mortgages, Borrowing And Saving

The idea of not having to pay rent while working a job might sound like a great perk. One flight attendant did just that and now lives a &#8220;dream life&#8221; thanks to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/airlines">the airline industry. </a>
What Happened:&nbsp;To be able to travel around the world&nbsp;is a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/06/32853534/this-millennial-ditched-us-for-bali-with-zero-savings-now-lives-in-luxury-on-140k-a-year" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dream come true</a>.
Thirty-three-year-old&nbsp;Alexandra Cosoff&nbsp;has done just that, leaving Queensland, Australia, to serve as a flight attendant for Emirates. Cosoff lives in Dubai&nbsp;but hasn't paid rent in ten years.
Cosoff enjoys a "generous benefit package" working as a cabin supervisor for Emirates, as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/travel-stories/inside-the-life-of-an-emirates-flight-attendant/news-story/5aa991f62040eb828cf8d34ebca5d9bb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported&nbsp;</a>by news.com.au in 2023.
"Our accommodation is provides and salary is tax free —&nbsp;and not just that, we have a lot of other things taken care of like transport, laundry, we have full medical and dental coverage," Cosoff&nbsp;told news.com.au. "We are very well looked after."
Cosoff said that a large portion of her salary&nbsp;used to go to rent and bills while working in Australia. Working for Emirates, a United Arab Emirates airline, Cosoff is now able to save more of her income and travel the world.
"What was very attractive to me was also not paying tax on top of my salary," she said.
Cosoff&nbsp;said she lives in an apartment provided&nbsp;by the airline.
"You can either get company-provided accommodation or opt for accommodation allowance," she said.
Cosoff, who was formerly a makeup artist, said she is now living the "dream life."
"I have been so lucky. I've had the most amazing time," she said.
Cosoff told the outlet that&nbsp;training to be a flight attendant with Emirates can be intense and takes eight weeks.
"It's such a rigorous training, but you will keep that with you for life – it give you cultural awareness, how to maintain calm and composure, and once you have all those skills no one can take that away from you," she said.
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Why It's Important: 
The report states that new Emirates flight attendants receive a base salary of approximately $1,236 per month, along with an hourly rate of about $17.86. They typically work between 80 to 100 flight hours each month and also receive meal allowances.
On average, economy class flight attendants earn around $3,435 per month, while cabin attendants tend to earn more.
Cosoff, who holds a degree in marketing and public relations, mentioned that a career in aviation had always appealed to them.
"Ever since I was a young girl I wanted to be a flight attendant. I remember seeing Emirates cabin crew on TV with their red hats and striking red lipstick and thinking, ‘Wow, they're so beautiful,'" she said.
Cosoff&nbsp;told the outlet that she recommends those interested in becoming flight attendants to apply for what she called&nbsp;"a dream come true.&#8221;
For more inspiring stories about people around the world,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/benzinga-inspire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">check out Benzinga Inspire.&nbsp;</a>
This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.
Photo: Yaroslav Astakhov/Shutterstock.com

Flight Attendant Hasn't Paid Rent For 10 Years, Tax-Free Salary Helps Her Live 'Dream Life'

&#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; star Kevin O&#8217;Leary has issued a warning to Democrats about <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40429580/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-push-economic-agendas-as-election-nears">Kamala Harris as the party&#8217;s presidential candidate</a>.
What Happened: O&#8217;Leary expressed his apprehensions about Harris during a Fox News appearance on Saturday. He insinuated that the party might be on the verge of repeating a previous blunder made with Hillary Clinton, who was widely expected to win but ultimately lost.
The investor also pointed out the absence of a comprehensive selection process for the nominee, contending that the party overlooked a chance to &#8220;suck up another week of airtime.&#8221;
In the interview <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6360947194112">with</a> Fox, O&#8217;Leary said, &#8220;It's 50-50, she may win, she may lose. This whole party, the Democratic Party, is going to revisit what happened here because they did the same thing with Hillary Clinton. It was assumed she would win, they anointed her, she lost.&#8221;
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He drew a parallel to a business sale, underscoring the significance of considering multiple offers before reaching a conclusion.
"I'm not saying she's going to lose, but I would have never let that happen if I'm selling a business. I tell my managers, never bring me one offer, bring me a process, show me there's no other bid out there that I want, then I'll make a decision if I'm selling. I was amazed they didn't do that here," he told the outlet. 
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O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s remarks follow the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where Harris was hailed as the party&#8217;s nominee.
Why It Matters: O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s warning to the Democrats comes at a crucial time, as the party is gearing up for the upcoming elections. His comparison of the nomination process to a business sale highlights the importance of strategic decision-making in politics. 
The lack of a thorough selection process, according to O&#8217;Leary, could potentially lead to a repeat of the 2016 election scenario. 
The Democrats&#8217; decision to place Harris at the forefront of their party is a significant move, and the potential implications of this decision are yet to unfold.
Read Next:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40301432/kamala-harris-surges-ahead-of-trump-in-key-states-young-americans-bank-on-harris-for-economic-reviva" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kamala Harris Surges Ahead Of Trump In Key States, Young Americans Bank On Harris For Economic Revival</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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