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Musk bashes Trump-backed Stargate deal: "They don't actually have the money"

Hours after President Trump announced a major artificial intelligence investment, it faced skepticism from one of his closest allies: DOGE head Elon Musk.

Why it matters: Musk publicly undermining the $500 billion project, led by OpenAI and other tech titans, could draw Trump's ire.


  • Trump tasked Musk with slashing federal spending with the new Department of Government Efficiency.
  • The pair's budding relationship has grown more entwined since Trump won back the White House, but this is one of their most public disagreements to date.

What he's saying: "They don't actually have the money," Musk said on X late Tuesday night in response to OpenAI's announcement of the project.

  • A spokesperson for the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on Musk's post.

Catch up quick: "The Stargate Project," a joint venture funded by SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle and MGX intends to invest $500 billion over the next four years building new AI infrastructure in the U.S.

  • The project will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, the company said. Trump called it a "monumental undertaking."
  • Arm, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle and OpenAI are the initial technology partners.

Driving the news: Musk said he had it on "good authority" that SoftBank secured "well under" $10 billion.

  • "I genuinely respect your accomplishments and think you are the most inspiring entrepreneur of our time," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to Musk.

Between the lines: Musk and Altman have had a fraught relationship after a falling-out over the direction of OpenAI, which both men co-founded, and Musk is deep in the latest of several lawsuits he has brought against OpenAI.

Go deeper: Trump announces billions in private sector AI investment

Trump admin orders federal health agencies to halt communications

President Trump on Tuesday ordered key federal health agencies to pause all external communications, multiple outlets reported and Axios confirmed.

Why it matters: The health agencies' website updates, advisories, and scientific reports provide the public with critical information on a variety of medical issues, including food recalls, infectious diseases and new drug approvals.


Driving the news: The directive was delivered to officials inside the Department of Health and Human Services' agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), per the Washington Post, which first reported the story.

  • The directive did not outline a reason for the pause, how long it is meant to last, or what exactly was covered under it, CNN reported.
  • The HHS, NIH, and White House did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment on Wednesday. The FDA and CDC referred Axios to HHS.

Between the lines: While a pause in external communications at the start of a new administration isn't unprecedented, an unnamed source familiar with the directive told CNN that the scope of the order seemed unusual.

  • The pause could simply be a reflection of the new administration needing to "catch their breath and know what is going on with regard to" communications, the Post reported, citing an unnamed official.

Flashback: The first Trump administration in 2017 sent a similar directive pausing external communications to several federal agencies overseeing environmental and scientific policy.

Go deeper: Trump names doctors to head CDC, FDA and for Surgeon General

The 10 best US cities to find a job in 2025

An aerial view of Scottsdale.
Scottsdale, Arizona, is the US city with the most job opportunities in 2025, according to WalletHub.

Tim Roberts Photography/Shutterstock

  • WalletHub recently published a report on the top US cities to find a job in 2025.
  • Three cities in Arizona were among the top 10 best places to find a job, with Scottsdale at No.1.
  • Except for Washington, DC, many cities on the list are smaller, perhaps surprising places.

The new year often brings hope for change. For those laid off or seeking a fresh start, it's also the perfect time to look for a job.

However, with a new political administration and fewer opportunities in white-collar industries, landing a job in 2025 could prove challenging, according to economists.

This is why choosing the right city could be crucial.

"It is important to look at more than just the number of jobs available or the unemployment rate," said Chip Lupo, an analyst at personal-finance website WalletHub, emphasizing that the quality of jobs β€” those offering good salaries, benefits, and overall satisfaction β€” is also important to consider when searching for new opportunities.

Some cities, like Norfolk, Virginia, have high rates of employment growth, while others, like Burlington, Vermont, offer the shortest average commute times, per WalletHub. Depending on your priorities, these factors could play a role in shaping your career choices.

To help with your search, WalletHub recently released a ranking of the best cities to find a job in 2025.

The study analyzed 182 cities, including the 150 most populated US cities and at least two most populated cities in each state, across 31 factors in two key areas: job market and socioeconomic factors.

WalletHub placed greater emphasis on the job market category because it "most heavily influence[s] a job seeker's decision in terms of relocation for employment," according to the report.

The data used for the ranking was sourced from the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and others. BI also identified the cities' populations and median household incomes using July 2023 estimates from the US Census Bureau.

Here are the 10 best cities to find a job in the US, according to WalletHub.

10. Orlando
Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida.
Lake Eola in Orlando.

Keith J Finks/Shutterstock

Population: 320,742

Median household income: $69,268

There's more to Orlando, ranked 10th on the report, than just Disney.

It's also, for example, a city with the fifth-highest availability of job opportunities and among the fastest-growing cities in America, according to WalletHub.

It secured 14th place in the job market category, which evaluated factors like job opportunities, employment growth, unemployment rate, and automation risk, among others.

9. Tempe, Arizona
Tempe, Arizona.
Tempe, Arizona.

Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock

Population: 189,834

Median household income: $77,643

Tempe is a sprawling college town on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona.

WalletHub's report ranked Tempe 17th in the job market category and 22nd in the socioeconomic one. According to the American Community Survey shared by the Arizona Commerce Authority, 25.2% of all employed individuals in Tempe work in education, healthcare, or social assistance, making these the city's largest employment sectors.

In addition to being a thriving economic space, the city is popular for building America's self-proclaimed "first car-free neighborhood."

8. Washington, DC
The US capitol in Washington, DC.
The US Capitol in Washington, DC.

Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB/Shutterstock

Population: 678,972

Median household income: $106,287

The capital city ranked eighth on WalletHub's index, scoring 11th in the job market and 36th in the socioeconomic category.

The US' capital and political center has the second-highest employment growth and the fifth-highest monthly average starting salary.

However, it ranked 181st among 182 cities for the longest average work and commute time.

7. Chandler, Arizona
Downtown Chandler, Arizona.
Downtown Chandler, Arizona.

Matt Gush/Shutterstock

Population: 280,167

Median household income: $103,691

Another city in the Grand Canyon State has been named one of the best places to find a job this year.

In the job market category, Chandler ranked 15th, reflecting strong employment opportunities and growth.

Additionally, its socioeconomic rank of 29th indicates a stable and supportive environment for job seekers in terms of housing affordability, transit access, and annual transportation costs, among other factors.

6. Charleston, South Carolina
Historic district in Charleston, South Carolina.
Historic district in Charleston, South Carolina.

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Population: 155,369

Median household income: $90,038

Known for its historic charm, vibrant culture, and beautiful coastal views, Charleston, South Carolina, is the sixth-best city for finding a job in 2025, according to WalletHub.

The port city has a thriving job market, ranking sixth in the category, partly because of its booming trade and transport industry. It's also one of the three locations in the world β€” alongside Everett and Renton in Washington β€” where Boeing's wide-body jets get assembled.

Charleston also has the third-highest employment growth. Still, some people who have moved to the city in the past have found that its growing popularity has led to heavy traffic and a high cost of living.

5. Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine.
Portland, Maine.

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Population: 69,104

Median household income: $76,174

Maine's biggest city is also the fifth-best place in the US to find a job this year.

The 2020 launch of the $100 million Roux Institute has spurred significant growth in Portland's tech sector, alongside a thriving bioscience and healthcare industry supported by over 400 life science companies.

Adding to its appeal, US News & World Report ranks Portland as the seventh-best city in the US for quality of life, making it a standout choice for job seekers seeking career opportunities and a good standard of living.

4. South Burlington, Vermont
North Lighthouse and Breakwater in Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont.
The north lighthouse in Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont.

Steven Noroian/Shutterstock

Population: 21,043

Median household income: $97,229

WalletHub's 2024 safest city to live in the US is also the fourth-best city to find a job this year.

It fared well in the job market and socioeconomic categories, ranking fourth and fifth, respectively. It also has the second-most job opportunities among the 182 cities.

South Burlington has a diverse economy with several thriving industries, including healthcare and social assistance, retail, hospitality, and education.

3. Columbia, Maryland
Wild Lake in Columbia, Maryland.
Wilde Lake in Columbia, Maryland.

KhanIM/Shutterstock

Population: 104,681 (2020)

Median household income: $115,564

In 2022, WalletHub ranked Columbia, Maryland, the No. 1 city for finding a job in the US. This year, it remains in the top three, coming in at No. 3.

The city has maintained its spot partly because it has the highest median annual income. It also has the ninth-lowest share of jobs that are likely to be automated in the coming decades, offering long-term job security in a changing economy.

Beyond the job market offerings, Columbia stands out for its affordability. WalletHub notes that fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around 16% of the city's median household income, the sixth-lowest percentage in the country.

2. Pittsburgh
The Roberto Clemente Bridge (Sixth Street Bridge) on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh.
The Roberto Clemente Bridge (Sixth Street Bridge) on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh.

JNix/Shutterstock

Population: 303,255

Median household income: $64,137

Pittsburgh ranks as the second-best city for jobs, thanks to a high number of job opportunities and the quality of companies.

It offers the most job opportunities per capita and the third-highest number of full-time jobs at top-rated companies.

The city's jobs are also highly rated, with residents reporting the ninth-highest job satisfaction in the country. It also has the fourth-highest percentage of workers with access to an employer-based retirement plan.

Beyond work, Pittsburgh is the fourth-best city for singles, has the 11th-best public transit system, and boasts affordability with the 18th-lowest median house price in the U.S.

1. Scottsdale, Arizona
Downtown Scottsdale, Arizona.
Downtown Scottsdale, Arizona.

antsdrone/Shutterstock

Population: 244,394

Median household income: $107,372

Arizona's luxury hot spot, Scottsdale, is also the No. 1 best city to find a job in the US in 2025.

The city, which has recently become a second home to wealthy retirees, entrepreneurs, and CEOs, is at the top partly because it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

It's also great for college students looking for their first work experience, as it ranks first in the number of paid internship opportunities available.

The high number of job opportunities is complemented by a high quality of life. The city has one of the highest median household incomes in the country and, with the 12th-lowest violent crime rate in the US, it's also a safe city.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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