Republicans are concerned about Musk’s Social Security talk
While protests against Elon Musk grow, many Republicans have vocally supported DOGE’s efforts, but Musk’s recent comments about Social Security have some worried, even questioning whether the tech billionaire should continue to do so many media interviews.
Musk described Social Security as “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time” in an interview last month. Trump allies — including some on Wall Street, in corporate America and in Congress — have conveyed to the White House and even Trump directly that Musk either has to be taken off air or needs to be more scripted.
“The only concern they have to worry about is what the president of the United States is saying and what he’s doing,” a White House official told NBC News. “We haven’t touched Social Security. We’re not going to touch Social Security.”
On NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said Sunday that politicians are “not being honest” when they say they won’t touch Social Security. He said the government should have a conversation about what it looks like for younger generations and look at “moving some of the variables around.”
The cuts DOGE is implementing aren’t just wreaking havoc on thousands of federal employees; lawmakers in both parties fear they will harm the government’s ability to recruit young people and technical experts.
Pope Francis leaves the hospital after five weeks
Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital Sunday after he made a brief public appearance for the first time in more than five weeks, waving to a crowd from a balcony at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he had been hospitalized with pneumonia in both lungs.
The pope, 88, smiled and greeted the cheering crowds waiting outside. “Thank you all,” he said into a microphone. He appeared to make the sign of the cross to the crowd before he was taken back into his room.
Minutes later, he could be seen waving from the back seat of a car as a convoy left the hospital, returning to Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City, where he is expected to continue to rest.
Canada to hold a snap election amid a trade war with the U.S.
Mark Carney, Canada’s new prime minister, called a snap election for April 28 on Sunday, seeking a “strong positive mandate” from voters to deal with the Trump administration’s tariffs and the economic threat they pose.
“We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty,” Carney said.
The Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on steel and lumber imports, eliciting $21 billion in retaliatory tariffs from Canada. Trump has also suggested several times that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
Heathrow resumes operations as speculation around fire swirls
London’s Heathrow Airport is now “fully operational” after a fire caused a power outage Friday, but the flight disruptions could still take days to unwind as airlines adjust schedules and reconfigure flights.
British authorities are investigating the cause of the fire at a nearby electrical substation, which is being treated as “non-suspicious” for now.
In the absence of information immediately after the fire, Britain’s tabloids immediately speculated about potential Russian sabotage. A British official told NBC News on Friday there was “no indication of Russian involvement.”
Meet the Press
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed that he won’t step aside as Senate minority leader amid the fury from many Democrats over his decision to help pass a Republican funding bill.
On “Meet the Press,” Schumer told moderator Kristen Welker he knew there “would be a controversy” when he cast his vote and stood by his argument that a shutdown would have been far worse.
“Sometimes when you’re a leader, you have to do things to avoid a real danger that might come down the curve,” he said. “And I did it out of pure conviction as to what a leader should do and what the right thing for America and my party was. People disagree.”
Politics in brief
Funding freeze impact: A Trump voter hoped his second term would revive her farm. His economic policies have left a “sour taste” in her mouth.
Supreme Court: Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the judge who ruled against the administration on deportation flights and his use of the Alien Enemies Act, saying, “The Supreme Court will get involved.”
Tariff showdown looms: Markets whipsawed after Trump hinted that there may be “flexibility” in his plan to impose blanket tariffs on most U.S. trading partners on April 2 and said there would be room for “talk” on trade issues with China.
Two monks share their perimenopause journeys
Most women begin experiencing perimenopausal symptoms between ages 35 and 45, although a recent study found a significant number of women under 35 reported moderate to severe symptoms.
To bring awareness, two Jain monks and filmmakers, Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti, are documenting their medical journey with perimenopause, from their first appointments to interviews with top menopause experts.
“Part of our mission is to help alleviate and reduce pain and suffering in this world,” Anubhuti said. “We have now found out that there is a silent suffering that a lot of women are going through, not knowing the options that we have for treatment, not knowing where to go for help.”
March Madness offers some close calls
The first major upset of the men’s tournament saw No. 2 seed St. John’s eliminated by 10th-seeded Arkansas in a coaching rematch from the 1996 Final Four. John Calipari’s Razorbacks topped Rick Pitino’s Red Storm 75-66.
No such upset occurred for No. 1 seeds Houston, which held off eighth-seeded Gonzaga 81-76, and Florida, after the Gators made a late comeback against Connecticut. Fellow No. 1 seed Duke cruised to an 89-66 win over ninth-seeded Baylor.
This year also marks a milestone for the women’s teams, who are getting paid for deep runs in the tournament for the first time — something the men’s teams have enjoyed since 1991.
- In case you missed itThree people were killed and 15 more were injured in a mass shooting at an “unsanctioned car show” at a New Mexico park, police said. Two 17-year-olds and a 20-year-old were arrested Saturday evening.
- Six people were wounded, four critically, in a shooting Sunday at a nightclub in Houston.
- Jessica Aber, the former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, was found dead Saturday morning, police said. She was 43.
- A woman suspected of fatally stabbing her fire captain wife at their Southern California home was captured in Mexico after more than a month on the run, Mexican officials said.
- Evacuation orders were issued in a North Carolina county over three wildfires amid dry conditions and drought.
- The Justice Department is asking a Cornell University student who led pro-Palestinian campus protests to surrender to ICE, according to a new court filing.
- More than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the result of Israel’s bombing campaign and ground invasion after Hamas’ terrorist attack.
- A wave of deadly violence in Syria has laid bare the country’s deep divisions and the challenge its interim leader has to unify the nation.
