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As tensions flared online between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Thursday, Musk briefly declared he would start shutting down one of SpaceX’s most crucial spacecrafts — the Dragon capsule — used to transport both astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station. The dramatic statement came as a direct response to Trump’s warning that government contracts with Musk’s aerospace and satellite ventures might be cut.

Musk took to X, formerly Twitter, to say that SpaceX “will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.” The severity of the claim was unclear at first. But hours later, Musk walked it back in a reply to another user on the platform, confirming he didn’t actually plan to follow through.

The Dragon capsule, developed with significant federal support, plays a central role in maintaining operations aboard the space station. NASA depends on SpaceX not only for crewed launches but also for ongoing scientific missions and, eventually, landing astronauts back on the moon later this decade.

SpaceX currently stands as the only American provider with an active spacecraft capable of transporting astronauts to and from orbit. Its Dragon capsules typically carry four-person crews and are also used for privately contracted missions, including an upcoming flight chartered by Axiom Space.

Boeing’s Starliner, by contrast, has had a rocky path. After its first crewed mission last year went awry, two NASA astronauts who had flown aboard the Starliner had to rely on SpaceX for their return trip home. That flight back to Earth took place this March — nine months after launch. NASA is now evaluating whether the next Starliner mission should carry cargo instead of a crew.

In addition to people, SpaceX’s cargo variants of the Dragon capsule are regularly used to deliver food, gear, and other materials to the ISS. Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft offers the only other active human transportation option, fitting three people and operating in tandem with SpaceX flights through a cross-agency agreement. Each SpaceX mission includes one Russian cosmonaut, and each Soyuz includes one American, ensuring that in any emergency evacuation, personnel from both countries are always on board.

Since SpaceX carried out its first astronaut mission for NASA in 2020 — marking the first private company to send a crew into orbit — the U.S. has been able to ease its long-standing dependence on Russian transport. For years, NASA had been paying Russia tens of millions per seat for rides to space.

Besides crew transport, NASA also contracts with other firms like Northrup Grumman for cargo supply runs. SpaceX, meanwhile, has been used to launch multiple NASA science missions and military payloads. Last year, the company was also awarded a major NASA contract to assist with safely deorbiting the space station once it reaches the end of its operational life.

NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon, is also relying on SpaceX’s massive Starship rocket to ferry astronauts from lunar orbit to the moon’s surface. Starship completed its ninth test flight from Texas last week, though the mission ended with the vehicle spinning out of control and disintegrating before completion.

{Matzav.com}

In an appearance on Al Arabiya English’s “Global News Today” on Friday, Errol Musk, father of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, weighed in on the recent tensions between his son and President Donald Trump, expressing confidence that Trump would ultimately come out on top.

“It seems a bit silly to me,” Musk remarked when asked about the conflict.

During the interview, host Tom Burges Watson posed a question about whether the situation signaled a permanent rift or a temporary clash. “Do you think this is a bump in the road, or do you think this is the end of the road for the relationship between your son and Mr. Trump?” he asked.

“Just a bump in the road. It will fizzle out in a few days,” Errol Musk responded.

He admitted he hasn’t been in direct contact with his son regarding the dispute but said, “I haven’t spoken to him, but I did send him a message, you know, telling him to make sure this fizzles out.”

Musk went on to reflect on the broader implications of the disagreement, saying, “I think there’s a bit of tiredness here. But, I would say that, in some ways, you know, it’s good that the older person sees that even at the highest levels, people struggle. You know, it’s not just in your home with your own family, but at all levels, people struggle to find common ground with each other. And, I think that’s all we’re seeing now.”

He concluded his comments by asserting his belief in Trump’s enduring popularity and political strength. “Trump, of course, will prevail because he has been voted in by the majority of the people in America. I’ve just spent three weeks in America. The people on, I would like to say 80%, but actually 100% behind Trump.”

{Matzav.com}

 

New York state education leaders have made it clear they will not back down from their decision to prohibit the use of Native American-themed mascots and team names in public schools, despite mounting pressure from the Trump administration, which warned that continuing the ban could result in the loss of federal funding.

In response to the U.S. Department of Education’s criticism, New York officials sent a letter on Thursday suggesting that rather than reversing the ban, they may expand it to include mascots and nicknames referencing any racial or ethnic identity that could be viewed as offensive by federal standards.

Under the current policy, school districts across New York have until June 30 to declare their intention to eliminate Native American mascots or risk losing state education dollars. Exceptions are permitted if a district reaches a formal agreement with a recognized Native American tribe. So far, three districts, including Wantagh and Connetquot on Long Island, have received extensions as they work toward compliance. Massapequa, which gained national attention after President Donald Trump expressed support for its refusal to comply, has not asked for additional time.

Wantagh has already agreed to retire its Native American-themed mascot but hopes to retain its “Warriors” name.

Federal education officials recently concluded that New York’s policy violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, arguing it discriminates by singling out Native American imagery while permitting team names tied to other ethnic or national groups, such as “Dutchmen” and “Huguenots.”

Julie Hartman, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Education, rejected New York’s argument that the federal ruling was based on contradictions. “What is internally inconsistent is that the New York Board of Regents prohibited mascots based on Native American race or national origin, but allowed mascots derived from other racial or ethnic groups, such as the ‘Dutchmen’ and the ‘Huguenots’,” she said in an email.

Daniel Morton-Bentley, legal counsel for New York’s education department, acknowledged the federal position but emphasized in his letter that it clashes with long-standing consensus from civil rights groups, tribal leaders, and professional associations that such mascots are harmful. He also pointed out the inconsistency with the federal agency’s own past opposition to Native-themed mascots.

Morton-Bentley cited a recent ruling from a New York federal judge who dismissed a lawsuit filed by several districts, including Massapequa, challenging the state’s policy. He noted that the federal civil rights office “is not a court of last resort for unsuccessful litigants.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon recently traveled to Massapequa to show support for the district’s defiance. She issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding that the state both rescind the ban and issue an apology to Native Americans for what she called a discriminatory act and an attempt to “erase” their heritage.

{Matzav.com}

A French rabbi reported being physically attacked for the second time in just a week, underscoring a disturbing increase in hate crimes sweeping across the country. Speaking with Reuters, Rabbi Elie Lemmel described the assault as part of a troubling pattern of antisemitic violence.

Rabbi Lemmel recounted that the incident took place while he was sitting peacefully at a café in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris. Without warning, someone struck him on the head with a chair.

“I found myself on the ground, I immediately felt blood flowing,” he says.

At first, he couldn’t make sense of what had happened. He thought an object might have fallen on him from above before realizing the painful truth—it had been a deliberate attack.

“Unfortunately, given my beard and my kippah, I suspected that was probably why, and it’s such a shame,” he says.

This latest assault came just days after another disturbing episode in Deauville, a town in Normandy. There, Rabbi Lemmel said he was punched in the stomach by a stranger.

While he had previously endured verbal harassment and hostile glances, Rabbi Lemmel said that physical violence was a new and alarming escalation.

Rabbi Lemmel says he was used to “not-so-friendly looks, some unpleasant words, people passing by, spitting on the ground,” but had never been physically assaulted before the two attacks.

The public prosecutor’s office in Nanterre confirmed that a criminal inquiry had been launched into the Neuilly assault, classifying it as aggravated violence. Authorities have detained a suspect for questioning, though no additional information has been released at this time.

“This act sickens us,” former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal writes on X regarding Friday’s incident involving Lemmel. “Antisemitism, like all forms of hatred, is a deadly poison for our society.”

Just last week, five Jewish centers in Paris were defaced with green paint, another example of the rising tide of antisemitism.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the anti-Semitic attack that targeted a rabbi in Neuilly today. Attacking a person because of their faith is a shame. The increase in anti-religious acts requires the mobilization of everyone,” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said in a post on X.

{Matzav.com}

President Trump remained unfazed Friday morning when asked about his recent rift with Elon Musk, steering the conversation during a brief exchange with The New York Post toward economic achievements and his strong polling, rather than diving into the fallout with his once-close supporter.

“Nothing catches me by surprise. Nothing,” the president remarked when questioned about Musk’s pointed attacks from the previous day, made in the wake of his resignation from the Department of Government Efficiency.

“The numbers are through the roof, the stock market is up, billions are pouring in from tariffs, and my poll numbers are the highest they’ve ever been. Other than that, what can I tell you, right?” he added, sounding upbeat and relaxed.

The clash between the president and Musk emerged publicly after the billionaire entrepreneur blasted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, legislation championed by Trump, which is estimated to grow the national deficit by roughly $3 trillion over the coming decade.

When asked if he and Musk had ever clashed privately over the bill, Trump dismissed the idea and instead pointed to the tech mogul’s familiarity with the legislation.

“He knew the bill as well as anybody,” the president said.

Praising the proposal, Trump asserted its long-term benefits, citing Friday’s economic data as evidence of its merit.

“The bill is great. It’s going to pass, but the bill is great, and it’s going be great for everybody, including him. And you see it now. And take a look at what happened today with the job numbers. They’re through the roof, and the stock market’s up already 600 points. This is what I do for a living, OK?”

Inside Republican circles, reaction to the dispute has been carefully managed. A senior House GOP official told the Post that the White House has not issued any directive to lawmakers to publicly defend Trump or criticize Musk.

“The White House hasn’t asked us to take any shots at Musk or to defend Trump — ‘Go after Elon, he’s a traitor,’” the aide said, adding that Trump’s team “prefers to take control of the rhythm.”

“We revolve around Trump.”

The same staffer noted that Musk’s resignation on May 30 followed a poor Tesla earnings report and a string of arson attacks targeting the company’s electric vehicles, events that reportedly left Musk visibly “shaken.” The official also referenced Musk’s failed bid to slash over $1 trillion in federal spending via the Department of Government Efficiency.

“There’s a faction of Congress that’s totally opposed to DOGE, and I don’t think he fully realized that,” the source said.

Tensions appear to have escalated after Trump abruptly pulled Jared Isaacman—an ally of Musk—from consideration to head NASA. That decision is said to have provoked Musk to go public with his grievances, criticizing Trump for “ingratitude” and suggesting he should be impeached. Musk also accused the president of delaying the release of Justice Department records related to Jeffrey Epstein, alleging they could incriminate him.

“Musk has no knowledge of the Epstein files,” the Republican aide said, calling the billionaire “very mercurial and scattered but also brilliant.”

Despite the heated rhetoric, the aide noted that there’s been no real erosion of Republican resolve to advance the bill, nor any significant increase in public pressure on lawmakers to intervene in the feud.

“We all assume it could come to a speedy truce faster than any politician could get involved in it,” the aide said.

However, one lingering concern for the GOP may be whether Musk will continue supporting Republican fundraising efforts, especially with the 2026 midterms on the horizon.

Musk gave $289,100 to the National Republican Congressional Committee in August 2024, a sizable contribution that helped bolster House campaigns.

“If that goes to zero, Republicans in the House are going to feel the brunt before Trump does,” the source said. “It’s like losing ten [George] Soroses. How would that feel?”

{Matzav.com}

WATCH:

The identities of two Israeli soldiers who lost their lives in Gaza have now been made public after their families were informed.

Sergeant Major Chen Gross, 33, a reservist from Gan Yoshiya who served in the elite Maglan Unit of the Commando Brigade, was killed in action during an operation in southern Gaza.

Also killed was Staff Sergeant Yoav Raver, 19, of Sde Warburg. He served in the Yahalom Unit of the Combat Engineering Corps and was killed in the same operation.

According to preliminary findings, at approximately 6:00 a.m., an IDF team entered a building as part of a clearing operation when an explosive device detonated inside. The explosion claimed the lives of four soldiers and wounded five others. One of the wounded, a reservist officer, was critically injured, while the remaining four sustained moderate injuries.

The same blast that killed Sergeant Major (Res.) Chen Gross and Staff Sergeant Yoav Raver also took the lives of two additional soldiers. Their names have not yet been authorized for release but will be shared once permitted. Their families have already been notified.

Among those wounded in the blast was a reservist officer from the Maglan Unit, who suffered serious injuries. He was transported to the hospital for urgent care, and his family has been notified of his condition.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump urged the Federal Reserve on Friday to slash interest rates by a full percentage point, referencing recent rate cuts in Europe and taking a jab at Fed Chairman Jerome Powell in the process.

“’Too Late’ at the Fed is a disaster! Europe has had 10 rate cuts, we have had none. Despite him, our Country is doing great. Go for a full point, Rocket Fuel!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

This latest demand comes just two days after a similar message from Trump, who reacted immediately to weak job data released by payroll processor ADP, calling on Powell to respond with aggressive rate cuts, according to CNBC.

“ADP NUMBER OUT!!! ‘Too Late’ Powell must now LOWER THE RATE,” Trump posted, also stating that Powell is “unbelievable” and pointing out that “Europe has lowered NINE TIMES!”

According to The Economic Times, Fed officials have emphasized that rising inflation remains a more significant concern than the recent slowdown in hiring.

The central bank is expected to maintain its current interest rate range of 4.25% to 4.50% during its upcoming meetings on June 17–18. The rates were left unchanged last month and have held steady since December.

Fed officials have expressed caution over making any immediate changes, with some attributing their hesitation to uncertainties surrounding Trump’s tariff policies, signaling that a rate shift may not be imminent.

Last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue, saying Trump “did say that he believes the Fed chair is making a mistake by not lowering interest rates, which is putting us at an economic disadvantage to China and other countries.”

{Matzav.com}

A firestorm of controversy has erupted across European Jewish communities following the leaked remarks of Rabbi Yirmiyahu Cohen, a senior member of the Presidium of the Conference of European Rabbis, who was recorded stating that he does not daven for hostages from the October 7 massacre if they are politically aligned with the Israeli left.

In a recording aired by Kan Moreshet, Rabbi Cohen, a longtime leader in European Jewry and a member of the Belzer community, is heard saying: “If you look carefully at the pictures of the hostages who are still being held, they’re all leftists. Should I pray for them?! They brought this on us. Yeish din v’yeish Dayan. (There is justice, and there is a Judge).”

The remarks sparked immediate backlash, with many calling them deeply offensive and antithetical to Yiddishe values. In response, the Conference of European Rabbis issued a statement distancing itself from Rabbi Cohen’s comments, stating: “If these words were indeed said in a private conversation, we leave the response to the individual in question. We do not interfere with private opinions or closed discussions.”

The organization emphasized its commitment to praying for all those still in captivity, saying: “Together with tens of thousands of Jews around the world, we offer continuous prayers for the return of the hostages, the healing of the wounded, and the success of the security forces. Just last week, we led a special mission to Poland, joined by hundreds of rabbis from across Europe, during which we held a heartfelt prayer for the salvation of all hostages—where Rabbi Yirmiyahu Cohen himself noted the importance of praying for their return. The recording does not reflect the stance of the Conference of European Rabbis or any representative thereof. As an organization, we proudly carry the banner of hope and prayer for the return of all hostages and actively encourage such prayers.”

Despite the uproar, Rabbi Cohen did not retract his remarks. When asked for comment, he said, “I didn’t say it publicly. I said it in a private four-eyed conversation at four in the morning.”

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Switzerland and the head of the Conference of European Rabbis, issued a scathing response, calling the comments “gravely inappropriate” and asserting that they “do not reflect the values of European Jewry or Judaism as a whole.”

“In the course of the annual conference of the Conference of European Rabbis,” said Rabbi Goldschmidt, “Rabbi Yirmiyahu Cohen, a member of the presidium, refused to recite Tehillim for the hostages because of their political views and where they were on the day of the horrific October 7 massacre. His comments are extremely serious and represent neither European Jewry nor Jewish religious values. Moreover, the weak response issued by the Conference is irresponsible and fails to represent the values we stand for.”

“Judaism,” Rabbi Goldschmidt continued, “has, for generations, been built on principles of compassion, solidarity, mutual responsibility, prayer for the sick, and the redemption of captives—not on discrimination based on political opinion or lifestyle. We have a moral obligation to maintain unity and to pray unceasingly for the safe return of the hostages, for the healing of the injured, and for the consolation of grieving families.”

He warned that the comments could have far-reaching negative repercussions: “Beyond everything else, this is an unmistakably irresponsible statement that may stoke hostile sentiment toward the Jewish people—both from within and from outside. There is absolutely no place for such words from someone who claims to represent European Jewry, especially in a time as sensitive and difficult as this. I call upon Rabbi Cohen to retract his statements and urge the Conference of European Rabbis to clearly and unequivocally repudiate them.”

{Matzav.com}

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist assemblyman from Queens and a candidate in the New York City mayoral race, is under fire for refusing to affirm Israel’s right to exist specifically as a Jewish state. In a recent debate, Mamdani said he supports Israel’s right to exist “as a state with equal rights,” but carefully avoided endorsing its identity as a Jewish nation.

His comments sparked intense backlash from political figures and Jewish leaders. Andrew Cuomo, the leading contender in the Democratic primary, directly confronted Mamdani during the debate, criticizing his evasiveness and calling out his refusal to travel to Israel. Joseph Potasnik, a senior figure in the New York Board of Rabbis, also took issue with Mamdani’s stance, saying it delegitimizes Israel and offends Jewish communities.

While the controversy swirls, Mamdani has gained the backing of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a key member of the progressive “Squad” and a known critic of Israel. She applauded Mamdani’s campaign for mobilizing grassroots support among working-class voters across the city.

“Assembly member Mamdani has demonstrated a real ability on the ground to put together a coalition of working-class New Yorkers that is strongest to lead the pack,” Ocasio-Cortez told the New York Times following the debate in which Mamdani refused to say he supports Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State.

Mamdani’s record on Israel has long been a point of contention. He is a vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and has declined to back resolutions in Albany that celebrate Israel’s independence or denounce the Holocaust. These moves have fueled further concern among Jewish voters and centrists who view his positions as part of a troubling trend of rising antisemitism.

With the Democratic primary drawing near, Mamdani’s views on Israel—and how they reflect on his suitability for office—remain a central issue shaping the mayoral contest.

{Matzav.com}

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led a morning workout on Omaha Beach to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day.

FOX NEWS: Trump to get rid of or give away his red Tesla.

For the third month in a row, the jobs report beat expectations, with 139,000 new jobs added in May.

Trump on Elon: “I’m not even thinking about Elon. He’s got a problem. The poor guy’s got a problem…. No. I won’t be speaking to him for a while, I guess, but I wish him well.”

GHF says it distributed nearly half a million meals today across two distribution sites in Rafah.

President Trump dismissed any interest in reconnecting with Elon Musk on Friday, stating clearly that he had no intention of engaging in a conversation with the tech mogul, despite earlier reports that White House officials had been working to coordinate a phone call between the two.

“You mean the man who has lost his mind?” Trump told ABC News when asked about reports he was slated to call Musk at some point on Friday.

Trump further clarified that he had little desire to speak with Musk, whom he referred to as a former ally, despite believing that Musk was seeking a dialogue with him.

“I’m not particularly” interested, Trump said, emphasizing that the interest in communication was one-sided and not mutual.

This followed a statement from a White House official who claimed the two were expected to talk later that day, suggesting preparations had been underway for a discussion.

However, a different White House staffer contradicted the earlier report, stating that no such call was actually scheduled to take place.

The confusion over the possible conversation surfaced as Trump tried to minimize the fallout from his public rift with Musk, a man he once regarded as a close associate.

“Oh, it’s OK,” Trump told the outlet when asked about the very public spat. “It’s going very well, never done better.”

He went on to highlight his current standing in national polls. “The numbers are through the roof, the highest polls I’ve ever had and I have to go,” he added as he touted his ratings.

The clash between the two escalated after Trump, speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, slammed Musk for attacking his administration’s legislative centerpiece, the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The disagreement soon turned hostile, with veiled threats over government funding and Musk calling for Trump to be impeached.

Musk also accused the administration of hiding information about Jeffrey Epstein, alleging that Trump was implicated in those records.

“Time to drop the really big bomb: Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk posted on X.

Later that evening, Musk appeared to soften his tone after Bill Ackman, a high-profile hedge fund manager, urged the two to reconcile, suggesting that their cooperation would be a net positive for the world.

“You’re not wrong,” Musk wrote in response to Ackman’s tweet.

{Matzav.com}

Germany’s Lufthansa airline group announced it will restart flights to and from Tel Aviv on June 23, following a suspension last month. The decision impacts Lufthansa, Austrian, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, ITA, and Lufthansa Cargo. The group stated that services will resume “gradually” for operational reasons, marking a cautious return to the region.

TWICE IN ONE WEEK: Rabbi Elie Lemmel, a Jewish outreach leader, was violently assaulted on Friday morning in France – for the second time within days. On Friday morning, an Afghan national threw a chair at him in Neuilly-sur-Seine for wearing a Yarmulka. Passersby apprehended the suspect, and Rabbi Lemmel, with minor injuries, was hospitalized. On May 31, three drunks attacked him in Deauville, remaining at large.

Maj. Gen. David Zini, who was appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to head the Shin Bet security agency, officially left the military this week. On Wednesday, a ceremony was held to bid Zini farewell after 33 years of service in the IDF.

HY’D: The Southern Sharon Regional Council announced today that IDF soldier Staff Sergeant Yoav Rever, 19, from Sde Warburg fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.