• The nerdworld business Critical Role celebrates its 10th anniversary on March 12.
• They started off playing "Dungeons & Dragons" on Twitch, but have built a sprawling business from it.
• CR's cofounders tell BI that in 2025, they're expanding on five fronts.

On March 12, Critical Role celebrates its 10th anniversary — a capstone for its rise to nerdworld business supremacy.

Now, four cofounders — Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, and Travis Willingham — told Business Insider their crew is ready to roll out its road map for 2025 and beyond.

The business' eight cofounders have come a long way from a group of nerds streaming their home "Dungeons & Dragons" game on Twitch. In 2022, CR raised seed funding of more than $11.3 million to create an animated series — a project that's turned into not one, but two Amazon-backed animated series' on Prime Video.

The CR business has multiple segments, including Darrington Press, its game publishing arm; Metapigeon, its production wing; and the Critical Role Foundation, its charity initiative. And CR and its peers are now selling out arenas and hitting the road for global tours.

"We have been planning and planting and nurturing the earth for so long — I think we're just looking forward to watching the garden grow," O'Brien said.

In 2025, the team is expanding in five areas.

1. A Critical Role video game

Willingham, CR's CEO, said that the crew is "hard at work" on a video game — a new area for CR. He won't tell BI the name yet, but plans to announce it "any day."

For now, he's calling this gaming venture the "interactive slate." He says it'll expand on Exandria, the gaming world that Matthew Mercer, the crew's longtime game master and chief creative officer, created over a decade ago.

"They'll actually be getting their hand on the stick and controlling the outcome of the story, changing what might be possible from not just some of their favorite characters, but new offerings in the world of Exandria," Willingham said.

2. Back to streaming and more live shows

The company's 10th anniversary dovetails with the February finale of the third "Critical Role" campaign.

But the cofounders will be back on stream soon. In the interim, Ray says Riegel will take over Mercer's seat as game master for a new program.

CR is also hitting multiple cities in the US and two arenas in Australia for live shows this year. Riegel told BI the crew is now scouting some dream locations — and they'd love to play in venues in Canada, Europe, and South America.

Lauding CR's peers at "Dimension 20" — who just performed in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden — Ray said what they do isn't niche anymore.

"It honestly doesn't make sense that 'D&D' shows are selling out arenas that Taylor Swift has played," Ray said. "This medium has grown, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon."

The company plans to announce its 2026 live show slate in the spring, Ray said.

3. Daggerheart's official release

The cofounders said "Daggerheart," a tabletop game more than two years in the making, is scheduled to launch on May 20, accompanied by a slate of CR programs and "new offerings."

Gameplay-wise, "Daggerheart" is structured like an answer to "D&D" — the game that made the team famous.

Ray told BI that Mercer and Spenser Starke, one of "Daggerheart's" designers, already have "years" worth of ideas for game content and expansions that are in the works.

Willingham says the company's Darrington Press division is also collaborating with game developers to make more products.

"We've been gamers our entire lives," O'Brien said. "My hope for Darrington is that it becomes synonymous with great games and that it's attractive for the best game makers."

4. Books and TV

O'Brien, who fronts CR's publishing push, told BI he's excited about the slate of books the team's rolling out, including "Der Katzenprinz," a children's book he wrote. In collaboration with Penguin Random House, CR also released its "Vox Machina — Stories Untold" short story collection this month.

Riegel told BI that CR's expansion means ideas outside their wheelhouse land "somewhere within our octopus of a company" — and for him, that division is TV and film projects.

Riegel said O'Brien is developing an idea for a TV show, and that Ray is developing an idea for a TV show and graphic novel.

"They're already in active development in various stages," Riegel said, hinting that the new projects will have "nothing to do with Exandria."

5. More animation

Riegel — a two-time Emmy Award-winning voice director — told BI the cast is in the thick of recording two seasons of animation in partnership with Prime Video. That's the fourth season of "The Legend of Vox Machina" and the first season of "Mighty Nein" — both based on the crew's "D&D" campaigns.

The eight cofounders, who got their start as voice actors, are playing their own characters.

"Sometimes in the same session, we'll go into the studio and record some for one animated series and some for the other, and it's a bit of a mind freak to keep it straight in our heads," Riegel said.

In the works: 'experiential offerings'

A long-running inside joke among the cofounders and their fandom is the idea of a "Critical Role Land" theme park, similar to Disney World. The crew has taken this idea so far that they have made theme-park T-shirts with the name on them.

"We say it's the most dangerous thing in the world to say stuff out loud at CR because it might come true," Willingham said.

But Willingham said the crew is exploring the possibility of having "experiential offerings" down the road.

Now, they just need "the right partners" and good timing, he said.

• President Donald Trump said he plans to buy a Tesla to support Elon Musk.
• Trump praised Tesla's quality and Musk's dedication at a White House event.
• A photographer captured an image of a note with Tesla prices.

A photo from a White House event Tuesday captured President Donald Trump with a list of prices for Teslas that were parked on the south lawn of the White House.

Prior to the event, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that he wanted to buy one of the company's electric vehicles as a show of support for Elon Musk. At a media event Tuesday afternoon, Trump saddled up to a red Model S.

"That's beautiful," he said, later adding that he would write a check for the car. The Model S retails for about $80,000.

Trump also said he would gift his 17-year-old granddaughter, Kai, a Cybertruck — another Tesla vehicle with a starting price of nearly $80,000.

Attached to a copy of Trump's speech was a handwritten note that included prices for the cars, which read like a sales pitch.

A photographer captured an image of the note, which read in part, "Teslas can be purchased as low as $299/month or $35K."

The White House did not respond to a request for comment from BI about the list.

Trump has increasingly stepped up his support for Tesla as a show of support to Musk, who is closely tied with the White House's new DOGE office, amid growing protests against the EV company.

Protesters across the US and in Europe have demonstrated against Tesla, denouncing Musk's politics, while others vandalized local Tesla showrooms.

The company's stock has also taken a beating in recent months amid declining global sales and concerns that its leader is spending too much time focused on his White House role rather than his companies.

Tesla stock plunged 55% from record highs in mid-December. Company shares closed Tuesday at $230.58.

Trump said at the Tuesday White House event that he's going to buy a Tesla "because, number one it's a great product, as good as it gets, and number two," he said, pointing to Musk, "because this man has devoted his energy and his life to doing this and I think he's been treated very unfairly by a very small group of people."

The president said he actually won't be allowed to drive it and "hasn't driven a car in a very long time," but staff at the White House will be able to.

Trump has not always been a fan of electric cars. In the summer of 2024, while speaking in Chicago at the National Association of Black Journalists, he said he was "against everybody having an electric car," despite Musk's endorsement.

• The Department of Education announced Tuesday that it's firing over 1,300 employees.
• This will slash the agency's workforce in half, a senior administration official said.
• The official said that these terminations will not impact student aid or grant disbursements.

The Department of Education said on Tuesday that it's firing over 1,300 employees, leaving the agency with just over half the number of workers that were in place before President Donald Trump's took office for his second term.

A senior administration official confirmed to reporters that the department is beginning to send termination notices to 1,315 employees beginning at 6 p.m. EST on Tuesday and that the department's focus with this reduction in force was eliminating full teams the agency deemed redundant or unnecessary.

The official said that of the 4,133 total staff at the department, 259 took the administration's deferred resignation offer, and 313 accepted the department's $25,000 voluntary buyout. About 2,183 employees will remain at the agency after these terminations, the official said.

Fired employees will have 90 days until they are officially terminated, and they will receive full pay and benefits during that time, along with severance payments to follow. These terminations are in addition to the 63 probationary employees who were already fired from the agency, the official said, and they will not impact key functions like the administration of federal student aid, grants for special needs students, and civil rights investigations.

"Today's reduction in force reflects the Department of Education's commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers," Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement. "I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system."

The department said that terminated employees will be placed on administrative leave beginning March 21 until the reduction in force is complete on June 9.

One Education Department employee told BI that the news "makes me sick."

"I'm just waiting for 6 p.m ET to roll around to see if I get an email," the employee said. "Of course there will be no rhyme or reason to it. They will indiscriminately fire people without regard to tenure, program, project, performance, impact, or any other useful metric."

The terminations are coming just over a week after McMahon outlined the "final mission" for the department, which she said would include removing "bureaucratic barriers" within the agency. They signal a step toward President Donald Trump's overall goal to eliminate the Department of Education altogether.

Following news of the terminations, the American Federation of Government Employees local chapter president, Sheria Smith, said in a statement that the union will "fight these draconian cuts."

"We will not stand idly by while this regime pulls the wool over the eyes of the American people," Smith said. "We will state the facts. Every employee at the U.S. Department of Education lives in your communities — we are your neighbors, your friends, your family. And we have spent our careers supporting services that you rely on."

Got a tip? Contact this reporter via Signal at asheffey.97 or via email at [email protected]. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

• The Department of Transportation announced a slew of upgrades to modernize the US' aerospace system.
• The American Airlines crash in DC highlighted potential lapses in air traffic control.
• The FAA plans to use AI, modernize technology, and speed up safety upgrades.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it's rolled out a handful of upgrades to improve the United States' air-traffic control system and make flying safer after a string of incidents heightened flyer anxiety.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a Tuesday press conference that antiquated air traffic control systems are one of the biggest problems hampering aviation safety — something pilots, airline CEOs, and aviation experts have also long warned about.

Duffy listed several ways the FAA plans to address the gaps, including using artificial intelligence to comb through safety reports and replacing old floppy disks and dated headphone jacks with modern technology.

"It's old, but it's safe," he said. "Looking forward, we don't want to lose lives because we have a break in the system, so it has to be upgraded, and it's going to take money."

He added that the ATC overhaul plan will be rolled out in the next two weeks. His goal is to have a "brand new" air traffic system in three and a half to four years, but it will be built at a pace that balances speed with safety.

Some of the upgrades he mentioned include:

• Using AI to analyze data and reports to catch safety trends faster.
• Accelerating the implementation of safety programs already started, like those in the FAA's NextGen airspace modernization plan.
• Deploying new runway safety technology that doesn't require tower controllers to "use binoculars to see where aircraft are."
• Creating new "state-of-the-art" facilities with advanced screens and equipment for controllers.
• Replacing copper wires with fiber, introduce more wireless and satellite technology, and improve radar.
• Hiring more companies to build new and better infrastructure.
• Speeding up air traffic controller hiring and paying trainees more.
• Getting funding from Congress up front to begin work on the administration's plan within the next two weeks.
• Permanently implementing NTSB's recommendations after the DC crash.
• Working with pilots, airline CEOs, and other experts to identify ways to further improve.

ATC changes come after deadly DC crash

The American Airlines crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, DC, in January highlighted potential lapses in ATC — especially as the industry grapples with a controller shortage.

That crash — as well as the Delta Air Lines crash-landing in Toronto in February and others involving smaller airplanes — have made people nervous about flying.

The Trump Administration has vowed to make travel safer — though firings at the FAA have made some experts concerned about the end goal.

Still, Duffy has emphasized the administration's steadfastness in addressing the problems.

He said the FAA is accepting and implementing two "urgent" recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board issued on Tuesday following the DC crash.

This includes closing Route 4, the helicopter path involved in the crash, when certain runways are in use at Reagan, and finding an alternate helicopter path when Route 4 is closed.

Duffy said he has spoken with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about giving the military a route around the original path, in line with the recommendation.

He added that the airspace will be closed to airplanes so special helicopter missions, like presidential transport, can use Route 4 safely.

Duffy said it's essential that the industry learn from its mistakes and be proactive in safety to prevent another crash from happening again.

"I think we can honor those who lost their lives by paying this forward," he said. "We do it by fixing the system and making it better and making it work."

• Elon Musk visited Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday with a fleet of Tesla vehicles.
• Upon entering the driver's side of a cherry red Model S, Donald Trump was amazed by the car's technology.
• "Everything's computer," the president marveled.

Elon Musk visited the White House on Tuesday with a fleet of shiny Teslas in tow. President Donald Trump was awestruck.

"Wow, that's beautiful," Trump marveled as he climbed into a cherry red Model S.

"This is a different panel than I've ever — everything's computer!"

Indeed.

The visit came after the president posted on TruthSocial on Tuesday morning that he would buy a Tesla to support Musk, the electric vehicle maker's CEO and a "special government employee" who has become the de facto face of Trump's DOGE effort.

Tesla's stock has fallen in recent weeks amid worries about tariffs, slumping sales prices, and the time Musk is spending on DOGE business.

"The Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World's great automakers, and Elon's 'baby,' in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for," the president wrote Tuesday.

"I'm going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American," he added.

Trump reportedly opted for the Model S, suggesting that he was successfully seduced by siren call of computers. (The car is, in fact, full of them, as are most other gadgets these days.) The car retails for more than $70,000. A photo of the president's notes from the event appeared to show a cheatsheet of prices for various models.

Trump also said he purchased his granddaughter a Cybertruck, according to CBS reporter Kathryn Watson.

Besides shelling out for a Tesla, Trump said he will label attacks against Tesla dealerships domestic terrorism.

Tuesday is the latest chapter in Trump's relationship with technology, which has previously included a suspicion of wind power, a belief that planes are too complex to fly, a predilection for sharpies instead of email, and the question "What is digital?"

• My family loves living about 45 minutes away from Orlando on Florida's coast in Titusville.
• We're close to nature and beaches but can easily drive to Orlando for appointments and big-city fun.
• Our small town has far less traffic and is more affordable, which allows us to live a life we love.

My family and I live less than an hour away from Orlando, on the east coast of Central Florida in Titusville.

We're near the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral and just north of Cocoa Beach. Our town is made up of beachcombers, aerospace engineers, and Florida locals.

I moved here from Miami over 10 years ago when I wanted a lower cost of living than the city life could offer me at the time.

The cost of living in Miami is higher than the national average, while Titusville is considered the most affordable place to live in Florida based on 2024 research from NewHomeSource.

Plus, Titusville is also fairly close to Orlando — one of the biggest draws for Florida tourists. Although I love what the city has to offer, I wouldn't give up our small-town life.

For us, figuring out how to reap some of the benefits of city life without having to deal with the major downsides has worked well for our budget and what we value as a family.

Orlando has many things we love, but we prefer not to be in the city for long

The best part about being near Orlando is that we remain close to what a major city can offer without having to pay the higher price that comes with living in it.

Since my husband and I are both teachers, we like to be careful with our budget, and living in a small town that's close to a city provides us with the best of both worlds for a fraction of the price.

For example, because I think the big city offers better medical care than the small town we live in, I gladly drive the 45 minutes to take my son and myself to doctor's appointments.

Since the county we live in spans 72 miles in length, it often makes more sense to me to drive 40 miles west to Orlando for what I think is far better care, anyway.

To make the drive less daunting, I play podcasts or playlists and usually make another stop in Orlando (often at a restaurant we don't have in our town) before heading back home.

Sometimes, my husband and I go on dates in the city or bring my son to family-friendly events and parks there.

Plus, there are certain chains Orlando has that our small town does not, such as Trader Joe's. Recently, we even made a whole day out of shopping there — after buying groceries, we met a friend in Orlando for lunch.

It's also nice to avoid all the traffic in Orlando

Although it would be far more expensive to own a home in Orlando than in Titusville, it's really the traffic that deters me from living there.

Orlando's I-4 is frequently on lists of the worst, deadliest, and most congested corridors, and so is the city's John Young Parkway.

I can handle driving in Orlando because I learned how to drive in Miami, which also has famously rough traffic. However, it's nice to only go to Orlando for things I feel are worth the drive.

When I do, it often feels like a relief to get off the city's congested roads and back onto our less populated ones.

Simply put, where we live gives us access to many perks of living in Florida

In our town, I also love feeling as though I'm surrounded by nature.

We have less development than in a major city and more places to go for a long hike. Wildlife sightings are the norm but still feel exciting.

Plus, we live less than 20 minutes from the beach, and I don't think I could ever give that up.

It's nice to be in natural landscapes instead of surrounded by tourist destinations and developments in Orlando — they're just not my speed anymore.

However, there's yet another upside to living close enough to them: With just a short drive, we can meet up with friends and family whenever they visit Disney World or Universal.

• Ukraine has "expressed readiness" to accept a US proposal for a 30-day cease-fire with Russia.
• The US will resume the flow of arms and intelligence to Ukraine.
• The next challenge for the Trump administration will be getting Russia to agree.

KYIV, Ukraine — Kyiv is open to a cease-fire with Moscow, but that's only half of the equation. The Trump administration has to get Russia to stop attacking Ukraine.

Ukraine signaled that it is ready to accept a US proposal for an immediate 30-day cease-fire with Russia, Kyiv and Washington said in a joint statement Tuesday. It creates a new opening in the effort to end the brutal three-year war. The US said it will immediately resume military aid shipments and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, according to the joint statement from both delegations.

The next step — getting Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease his missile barrages and assaults on Ukraine — may prove particularly tricky.

Ukraine is continuing to see Russian attacks. "Russia is not stopping its attacks; it continues missile strikes on civilians and critical infrastructure," Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian presidential advisor, told Business Insider last week amid the pause in US support. "Russia is not stopping and will not stop."

Russia has relentlessly attacked Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, with missiles and drones throughout the conflict. Last week, President Donald Trump threatened Moscow with sanctions and tariffs if it didn't reach a cease-fire, but the strikes have continued even after the direct talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February.

Russia attacked Ukraine overnight last Thursday with 67 missiles and nearly 200 drones, one of its largest strikes of the entire war.

At that time, Dara Massicot, an expert on the Russian military with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Russia and Eurasia Program, said on X that any potential carrots offered to the Russians in Riyadh "were not enough to cause the Kremlin to pause ops."

She added that Moscow doesn't care if it embarrasses the US.

War experts have seen few signs that Moscow is ready to end its war in Ukraine. Conflict analysts at the Institute for the Study of War think tank in Washington noted last week that Putin and his foreign ministry rejected the possibility of a negotiated cease-fire.

"We'll take this offer now to the Russians, and we hope that they'll say yes, that they'll say yes to peace," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday. "The ball is now in their court."

Russian officials recently leveled demands likely to be non-starters with Ukraine: the surrender of more territory Russia does not control, tight caps that would shrink Ukraine's military to a fraction of its current size, and no European troops to monitor that Ukraine to keep the peace.

Ukrainians and their international partners worry that Russia will use a cease-fire to rebuild its battered forces and re-invade Ukraine in the coming years in an echo of the 2015 deal that failed to end Russia's territorial aggression in eastern Ukraine.

The biggest factor that brought about Ukraine's change on cease-fire talks was Trump's willingness to publicly break with Ukraine and temporarily starve its longtime partner of much-needed military support while also pushing for huge concessions to Ukraine's natural resources.

After a contentious White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toward the end of February, the Trump administration shut down the flow of security assistance to Ukraine last week and immediately followed that move by cutting intelligence sharing with Kyiv and limiting access to crucial satellite imagery.

In that meeting, Zelenskyy noted past failures and expressed concerns that Putin would not adhere to a cease-fire deal. Trump, however, said last week that he believed Putin would actually want to end the war.

Tuesday's announcement comes shortly after US and Ukrainian delegations met in Saudi Arabia for high-stakes peace talks.

Diplomats agreed to "immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine's long-term security," the statement said.

The US will next discuss the specifics with Russia. Ukraine emphasized the need to involve European partners in the peace process; Trump has so far resisted providing any security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a cease-fire deal, saying that will be Europe's problem to figure out.

The Tuesday statement said the US and Ukraine were also close to signing a rare earth minerals agreement that the two countries were slated to sign last month.

• I went to Quebec City in August 2022. It's a historic French city with a European feel. 
• Then, I visited four European countries for the first time: Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.
• The streets and buildings of Quebec City felt similar to places I visited in Europe. 

With narrow, cobblestone streets, European-inspired architecture, and a primarily French-speaking population, Quebec City feels like a European paradise. 

I spent 24 hours in the 400-year-old French-Canadian city in August 2022. Back then, I hadn't explored enough of Europe to decide if Quebec City felt like other countries across the Atlantic.

But after visiting Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany two months later, the comparison was clear.

Quebec City is over 400 years old, making it one of the oldest cities in Canada.

The city, which sits on the St. Lawrence River, was founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, according to the city's website.

Quebec City is on the eastern edge of the Canadian province of Quebec.

I traveled by train from Montreal to Quebec City, but my flight home to New York City took less than two hours — much shorter than a trip to Europe. My direct flight from NYC to Berlin was nearly eight hours long when I visited in October 2022.

I spent most of my time in Old Quebec, a neighborhood with preserved French and British colonial architecture.

During my visit, I spotted many of these simple, rectangular buildings with decorative shutters.

I wandered down Old Quebec's photogenic streets and spotted rows of colorful buildings.

A few months later, in Zurich, I saw blocks I thought looked similar to those in Quebec City. Streets in both cities were lined with vibrant shops and restaurants.

Many of the streets in Old Quebec were made of cobblestone.

They looked like the roads I saw in all four European countries I visited.

I also noticed most signs were written in French.

That's because about 84% of the population of Quebec speaks French, according to the Government of Canada.

English wasn't the primary language spoken in any of the European countries I visited, either.

Most of the signs I saw abroad were written in German or Italian.

While some streets in Quebec City were wide, others were quite narrow.

Later, in Rome and Venice, Italy, I stumbled upon alleys that reminded me of the narrow streets in Quebec.

After my trip to Europe, I also realized my hotel in Quebec City, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, was similar to those I saw abroad.

I thought it was the most stunning building, which makes sense as, according to the World Atlas, it's known as the most photographed hotel in the world.

It was a dramatic castle-like structure.

The hotel opened in 1893 and was inspired by romantic architecture and French castles.

The hotel looked like something out of a fairy tale, with elaborate landscaping and old-world architecture.

I had a similar feeling while strolling through gardens next to historic buildings in Vienna.

Inside, I thought my hotel room was small, but the view out the window was grand.

I perched on the windowsill and marveled at the European architecture surrounding me.

I also saw Quebec City Hall, which was inspired by the Second Empire.

It was built in a European style with prominent rooftops, according to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

I spotted the same style of architecture in Viennese buildings like Schönbrunn Palace.

This architectural style is known as Second Empire Baroque.

Additionally, old-world cathedrals in Quebec City, like Notre Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral, reminded me of those I later saw in Europe.

Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral has a Neoclassical style, with towers and stained-glass detailing.

I saw a lot of Neoclassical architecture all around Rome, too, like at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

After visiting Quebec City and places in Europe, I found that they're not exactly the same, but they're pretty close.

If you're looking for a European adventure that's closer to home without the pricey flight and jet lag, I think Quebec City is a good alternative.

President Donald Trump says he will label attacks against Tesla dealerships domestic terrorism in response to the recent spate of vandalisms against Elon Musk's EV company.

Trump made the announcement on Tuesday at the White House, as Tesla's stock came tumbling more than 50% from recent highs.

"They're bad guys. They're the same guys who screw around with our schools and universities," Trump said. "We're gonna catch you, and you're gonna go through hell."

Spokespeople for the White House and Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

This story is developing, check back for more information.

• Allies South Korea and Japan have robust shipbuilding industries.
• How they manage their shipyards and workforce, as well as build vessels, offer potential solutions for US yards.
• South Korea and Japan are the second and third biggest commercial builders behind China.

Fixing US shipbuilding problems and revitalizing American seapower has become a top priority. A pair of Pacific allies with strong industries might have answers.

South Korea and Japan are major shipbuilders, and US yards constructing Navy ships could learn from their approaches, a veteran naval affairs expert told lawmakers this week.

In a statement to the House Armed Services Committee's Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, expert naval affairs specialist Robert O'Rourke highlighted the success that allies like South Korea and Japan have seen in shipbuilding.

Their approaches include in-house worker training that can address capability, operations, and materials management issues, such as "monitoring and managing the flow of work through the shipyard on a continuous basis," O'Rourke, a longtime Congressional Research Service analyst, said in written testimony.

They also embrace effective design and construction processes. South Korea, for instance, designs "ship sections with a strong focus on reducing the labor hours needed to produce them," O'Rouke said. Doing so could mean enlarging ship sections to improve worker access to spaces and using straighter, less convoluted pipe runs "that take up more space but require less labor to produce and install."

The cost for bigger ship sections would be higher, but the reduction in labor costs more than offsets it. The end result could make ships much "easier and less expensive to build, maintain, and modernize over their life cycles," he wrote.

At a congressional hearing Thursday, O'Rourke said that there were lessons to be learned from both Japan and South Korea's shipbuilding models and that the two were mentioned "almost side-by-side" when discussing best practices for world-class shipbuilding standards for efficient shipyard operations.

Another topic of discussion has revolved around how Japan maintains a steady procurement rate amid changes in force size, a long-standing struggle for the US shipbuilding industry.

There are, as O'Rourke and others said, differences between building commercial and military vessels, such as how many can be made, interior density and complexity, propulsion systems, survivability, intended life cycles, and the installation of combat systems, and all of that needs to be taken into account.

But that does not mean there aren't potential lessons that could be applicable to US shipbuilding.

Last April, then-Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said he was "floored" by South Korea's shipyard capabilities after a visit, especially digitization and real-time monitoring of shipbuilding progress, which included "regularly available information down to individual pieces of stock materials."

Top South Korean shipbuilding executives are able to pinpoint the exact day when ships will be delivered, he noted at the time, a stark difference from the severe delays the US faces in shipbuilding capacity, labor availability, and resources.

How the US could capitalize on and embrace the effective shipbuilding practices of allies like Japan and South Korea — or work closer with their biggest companies — is a major focal point, as the US and its Pacific partners look carefully at China's dominant shipbuilding empire and regional security concerns.

"Japan and South Korea are in competition with China," O'Rourke said, "so they are trying to hold onto their market share against the Chinese shipbuilding," pushing them to make their shipbuilding operations as effective as possible.

Automation and streamlined production processes are key to achieving that. South Korea and Japan are, respectively, the second and third largest shipbuilders behind China.

Tesla shareholders are frustrated with Elon Musk as he focuses more on DOGE and Tesla's stock price crashes.

• A Palo Alto house listed for sale Friday had a line about where its owners' kids went to college.
• Commenters said the brag was a sign of how much the area values academic and professional success.
• The sentence about colleges was quickly removed. The $4.9 million home is already listed as pending.

When the sellers of a $4.9 million house in Palo Alto listed it on March 7, they chose a distinct sales pitch.

Play up where their kids went to college.

"A legendary home where success is part of its history. Since its 2017 rebuild, every owner's children have gone to Harvard or Stanford, paving the way for even greater achievements. Now, it is ready to pass on its extraordinary energy to the next family," the listing said, according to screenshots posted on X.

Some people turned to social media to make fun of the tactic. Reddit users called the marketing ploy "peak Palo Alto," befitting a wealthy enclave so focused on academic prestige and tech-world success that former NFL quarterback Steve Young said he would often go unnoticed by his neighbors.

It might've worked. The next day, the home was listed as pending on Zillow and the other major real-estate listing sites, which usually means that the seller has accepted an offer from a prospective buyer but that the deal hasn't yet closed.

The sentences about Harvard, Stanford, and the home's "extraordinary energy," however, had been deleted from the listing.

A listing photo showing what appear to be framed Harvard and Stanford acceptance letters proudly displayed above a fireplace was also removed but captured in screenshots.

Now the listing highlights more mundane selling points, including buried utilities and a primary suite with its own wet bar.

According to the current listing, the 2,722-square-foot, five-bedroom house also has a dedicated piano room and an 11-foot kitchen island.

It sits on a tree-lined cul-de-sac in Palo Alto that's an eight-minute drive to the Googleplex, a 12-minute drive to Stanford's main campus, and a 20-minute drive to Meta's headquarters.

The home last sold for $4.18 million in 2018, according to its listing history on Realtor.com.

Wen Guo Real Estate Group, the sellers' real-estate brokerage, did not return calls and emails requesting comment on Tuesday.

• Congress is voting to avert a shutdown, and DOGE is scrambling the calculus for both sides.
• Democrats are voting against the bill, arguing DOGE is already shutting down the government.
• Meanwhile, Republicans who usually hate voting for funding bills are changing tack because of DOGE.

As lawmakers vote this week to fund the government and avert a shutdown before March 14, things are different in the halls of Congress — and DOGE is at the center of it.

For years, government funding has played out as such: Almost every Democrat votes for the bill — even if it contains some cuts or provisions that they oppose — because they tend to be the temperamentally pro-government party. Somewhere around half of Republicans vote against it, even when their party controls the House, complaining of runaway government spending.

That pattern is now being turned on its head.

House Republicans have drafted a bill to extend current levels of government funding for another year, plus some cuts that Democrats oppose. Hardline conservatives who are typically weary of voting for these types of bills are expected to get behind it. House Democrats, meanwhile, are expected to near-unanimously oppose it.

"It will enable Donald Trump and Elon Musk to continue to cut the federal government," Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, the chairman of the House Democratic caucus, said of the GOP-drafted bill to fund the government for the next year. "House Democrats are voting no."

On both sides of the aisle, it's DOGE — and President Donald Trump's empowerment of the cost-cutting initiative — that's helping to change lawmakers' calculus.

Republicans argue that even if they're unhappy with the level of spending dictated by the bill, Trump can assert the power of impoundment, essentially refusing to spend money that Congress approves. The administration is already doing some of this as part of DOGE, though those efforts might violate the law and are being challenged in court. More broadly, they're also arguing that funding the government is important to keep the lights on for DOGE to do its work.

Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri told BI there's "no way" he would have supported the bill "without DOGE or Trump." Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina told BI that DOGE is a "huge" part of the reason he's getting behind the legislation. Both are Republicans who typically oppose these kinds of funding extensions.

While those arguments reassure Republicans, they've become fodder for Democrats to oppose the bill, given their objections to DOGE.

"They're being told that this allows them to do even more stealing from funds that Congress approved," Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin said of Republicans. "Every Democrat knows that this is just a chance to lose even more programs for our constituents."

Furthermore, Democrats have argued that Musk and his lieutenants' blitz across the federal government — including shuttering agencies, choking off streams of federal funding, accessing sensitive systems, and firing federal workers — has amounted to a "partial government shutdown" already. By voting to fund the government under these conditions, Democrats would be giving up leverage.

The bill also doesn't include detailed instructions about how to spend the money, which would typically be the case if Congress were passing regular funding bills. Democrats argue the absence of those instructions will grant Trump even further latitude to reshape the federal government — and punish his opponents.

"It's just a handoff of power to President Trump to punish localities that he doesn't like and reward those he does," Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia told BI. "He is showing a willingness to use any tool at his disposal to go after those that he doesn't think are his friends or supporters. Virginia voted against him three times in presidential elections. I'm not going to give him a cudgel to beat us up."

Despite Democratic opposition, the bill may still become law. House Republicans are optimistic that they'll be able to pass the year-long funding patch before leaving town on Tuesday.

That would leave the Senate little choice but to pass the bill or risk a shutdown. Due to the 60-vote filibuster rule, it will take the agreement of at least 7 Democrats to get it done.

"I think they've got enough senators to do this," Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas told BI on Tuesday. "We're throwing it in their lap this evening. It's gonna pass there too."

• Traveling with my teens can be difficult, but we, thankfully, all love arcades.
• Every time we travel, we stop at an arcade and waste hours there.
• It's the only place where we all have fun and are able to connect as a family.

Traveling with my teenagers is a whole new ballgame. Gone are the days when I could plan a vacation and choose the activities — with them just happy to be along for the ride.

Now, I have to consider my three teenagers and their likes and dislikes. I also have to involve them in the planning. If I make the wrong decision, I risk the teenager sulk raining down on me. Nobody wants that.

To make it more difficult, my kids like different things: My daughter could spend hours digging through thrift store racks for "treasures," my middle son could spend all day fly-fishing, and my youngest son prefers to be active on a food tour or bike ride.

Thankfully, I eventually found the holy grail that keeps everyone happy on a family vacation: an arcade.

We stumbled upon our first arcade as a family in Portland

I discovered our mutual love of arcades a few years ago when we visited Portland. It was much hotter than anticipated, and most of our planned activities were outdoors. We needed something to do to get us out of the 100-degree afternoon temperatures.

In a desperate search, I found Ground Kontrol, a two-story arcade that not only fit the bill for an air-conditioned establishment but was also met with excitement from all three of my teens.

We spent much of the afternoon there, enjoying our favorite arcade games and even a few that were new to us. I was surprised by how much time we spent in the pinball area, considering it was never something they gravitated to before.

We now visit arcades on every family trip

Our top spots are tiny retro arcades with '80s music and games like "Frogger" and "Pac-Man." If they serve pizza and beer, we might ditch our dinner plans to continue the arcade fun.

We recently, for example, spent two nights at High Scores Arcade in Monterey, California, fighting off typhoid and cattle thieves while playing my favorite childhood game, "Oregon Trail," with my sons. I was thrilled when we walked in and saw the hand-built game cabinet housing the retro keyboard and monitor, but I was more surprised when my older son wanted to join me in playing.

We strategized the time of year we'd start our cross-country journey, how many cattle to purchase, and what amount of clothing was the least we could get away with. I'm proud we made it to Oregon with four of our five family members alive (sorry, Dad). Best of all, I shared memories with my son of playing this game as a child when we visited the "computer lab" at school.

This arcade quickly became a favorite. It had a jukebox that only played '80s music and games set for open play (you purchased an hourly or unlimited wristband when you arrived). The arcade also sold some inexpensive snacks and drinks, including beer for the parents. A corner of the shop was set aside for those needing a break from the action (like moms).

We returned for a second night since we enjoyed it so much.

We've found endless benefits to seeking out arcades on trips

I think it's something about being together, yet separate, that makes arcades a top pick for us. Just when I think we're all sick of each other, I locate them playing multi-player "Pac-Man." It's a sibling miracle.

Visiting an arcade offers some downtime without being stuck in our tiny hotel room, all on our phones.

When we visited Hungry Sasquatch/Thirsty Sasquatch on a recent visit to Vancouver, Washington, we went for the pizza by the slice. Still, the arcade games allowed me to sit and enjoy a local brew while checking my email. We spent an hour or so there, and it was enough of a reprieve to get us out and exploring the city some more (after an ice cream, of course).

There's also the friendly, low-stakes competition that comes with an arcade visit. Sometimes, with three kids of different ages, the youngest gets left out when the older two are better than he is at an activity. Arcades have a way of balancing that out, as we all have different games in which we excel.

Plus, I love showing off my epic "Tetris" skills in head-to-head combat with one of my kids. Thank you, GameBoy summer of 1990.

• Wendy Williams has largely stayed out of the spotlight since exiting her talk show in 2021.
• Williams has been under a guardianship since 2022.
• She was recently taken from an assisted living facility to a hospital following a wellness check.

A year after speaking out in a two-part documentary, Wendy Williams' personal challenges are still a hot topic.

Williams, a fixture of daytime TV for more than a decade, stepped away from "The Wendy Williams Show" in 2021 amid health issues. Since then, she's kept a low profile — until the release of a 2024 Lifetime documentary, "Where Is Wendy Williams?"

The documentary raised even more questions about Williams' circumstances, and the TV star is continuing to face hardships.

Here's a complete timeline of Williams' health challenges and guardianship.

October 31, 2017: Williams passes out on live TV

Williams dressed as Lady Liberty for the Halloween episode of "The Wendy Williams Show." During the live taping, Williams lost her balance mid-sentence and fainted.

The daytime talk show host recovered quickly and returned after the commercial break to assure fans she was OK.

"That was not a stunt," Williams clarified. "I overheated in my costume and I did pass out, but, you know what? I'm a champ and I'm back." 

February 2018: She cancels three tapings of her show due to flu-like symptoms

Williams canceled the tapings of her show scheduled for Wednesday through Friday during the week of February 12, 2018.

"It's not the flu yet, but I feel flu-ish," Williams said in a video shared on Instagram, which has since been deleted. The host also added that she hadn't taken a sick day since starting her talk show in 2008.

"Wendy is still experiencing flu-like symptoms and so she can rest up and get better, we have decided to cancel tapings the rest of the week," a representative for the show told Us Weekly that week.

Williams gave Wendy Watchers an update on February 16 in an Instagram post that has also been deleted.

"I guess when you don't take a sick day EVER in over 25 years, the ground is supposed to shake! LOL," she wrote. "I ride or die for my craft. I appreciate all the tremendous love and support from everyone — especially my incredible staff. I'm hydrating this bug out. I will be back Monday and topics will be POPPING!! Miss u all."

She returned to "The Wendy Williams Show" the following Monday, February 19.

"I must say, it's good to be back," Williams said. "I apologize to those of you who had tickets for the show Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. I was not here. I was flu-ish with complications, but no more."

February 21, 2018: Williams reveals that she has Graves' disease

Two days after returning to her show, Williams announced that she was diagnosed with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disease that causes an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

The star also said she'd take three weeks off to prioritize her health. "As women, we always put everything before us," she told the audience. "Stop putting everyone first."

In March of that year, Williams told People magazine that she was diagnosed with Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism 19 years earlier.

"It came from me neglecting my six-month endocrinology appointment," she said.

"I feel a hundred percent better than I was a few months ago. I had a storm going in my body is the best way I can explain it," Williams added.

December 2018: She gets injured and fractures her shoulder

Williams got a hairline fracture in her right shoulder on Sunday, December 16, and missed the Monday taping of her talk show. She returned that Tuesday with her arm sling concealed underneath her shirt.

Williams said she wouldn't have been able to go to work on Monday because her "shoulder was on fire." So, she focused on medical attention that day.

"I'm on the mend," she said. "I don't need an operation. They tell me I'm very healthy for a person after 50."

Williams added that she would power through the remainder of the season before resting since only a few more days of filming were left.

March 4, 2019: Williams returns to her show after taking a nearly two-month hiatus due to her health

During her extended absence from the show, celebrity guests filled in for Williams.

"We were only supposed to be off two weeks for Christmas vacation," Williams said when she returned. "Toward the end of the two weeks, I started to feel thyroid-ish."

Wiliams said that her medications were still being modified.

"If you don't know about thyroid disease, it's a lifelong thing and they are always adjusting stuff," she said. "It can really screw you over."

Williams said that she was also dealing with Graves' disease and her vertigo during that time.

"I have a plethora of doctors, my medical team, and I'm happy to tell you that I'm doing swell," she added, to the applause of the audience.

March 19, 2019: Williams reveals she's been living in a sober house and seeking treatment for addiction

"You know me for being a very open and truthful person and I've got more to the story for you," Williams said on her talk show.

"Well, for some time now, and even today and beyond, I have been living in a sober house," Williams said, explaining that she and her then-husband Kevin Hunter Sr. created The Hunter Foundation and the 888-5-HUNTER phone number to help people with addiction.

"You know I've had a struggle with cocaine in my past," she added. "I never went to a place to get the treatment. I don't know how, except God was sitting on my shoulder, and I just stopped."

The TV personality said that only Hunter Sr. and their son, Kevin Hunter Jr., knew about her situation.

"I am driven by my 24-hour sober coach back to the home that I live in here in the tristate with a bunch of smelly boys who have become my family," Williams said.

"Doors locked by 10 p.m., lights out by 10 p.m.," she continued. "So I go to my room and stare at the ceiling and fall asleep to come here and see you. So that is my truth."

July 8, 2019: Williams announces that she's been diagnosed with lymphedema

Williams shared the diagnosis on an episode of her show, after addressing paparazzi photos in which her ankles appeared puffy and swollen.

"It's not going to kill me, but I do have a machine," she said, adding that she's "got it under control."

May 18, 2020: Williams takes a break from her talk show because of Graves' disease symptoms

Williams was filming "The Wendy Williams Show" remotely from her home during the coronavirus pandemic but stepped away to get treatment for symptoms of Graves' disease, a representative for the show told AP News.

"We look forward to welcoming Wendy back soon and continuing the Wendy@Home shows," the statement said.

September 2021: Williams tests positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19 and delays the season 13 premiere of "The Wendy Williams Show."

"While continuing her health evaluations, Wendy has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19," read a statement posted on the talk show's official Instagram account.

"To allow Wendy time to quarantine and fully recover and to ensure that our production abides by all SAG/AFTRA and DGA Covid protocols, we expect to begin the 13th season of 'The Wendy Williams Show' on Monday, October 4th," the statement continued. "In the meantime, repeats will be scheduled."

Days prior, "The Wendy Williams Show" Instagram account announced that the host was "dealing with some ongoing health issues" and could not fulfill promotional obligations.

October 2021: Williams began a hiatus from her show amid health complications

Season 13 of "The Wendy Williams Show" premiered on October 18, 2021, sans Williams. As the season progressed, other guests such as Leah Remini hosted in her place.

"Wendy continues to be under medical supervision and meets with her medical team on a daily basis," a post shared on the show's Instagram account. "She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease and her thyroid condition. It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties."

February 8, 2022: People magazine reports that Williams won't return to season 13 at all

"Wendy won't be returning to the show for the rest of this season," the source said. "Her healing is going slower than everyone had hoped. She continues to deal with a number of medical issues, including Graves' disease, and she and her team are taking it one day at a time."

The source also denied reports of a stroke, drugs, addiction, or dementia being factors in Williams' absence.

"The Wendy Williams Show" was officially canceled months later, and the final episode aired on Friday, June 17, without Williams present — despite the star previously being hopeful of a return.

Sherri Shepherd hosted the series finale and launched her own daytime talk show, "Sherri," in September of that year, replacing the time slot previously held by Williams.

February 2022: Williams becomes embroiled in a financial battle with Wells Fargo and a guardianship is subsequently put in place

Wells Fargo froze Williams' accounts and petitioned a New York court for financial guardianship for the TV star, claiming that she was an "incapacitated person."

Williams' attorney, LaShawn Thomas, responded to this claim, telling Variety in a statement that "Wendy wants the world to know that she strenuously denies all allegations about her mental health and well-being."

"During this hiatus from the show, Wendy has employed holistic health professionals to help her reach optimal health during her treatment of Graves' disease and thyroid concerns," Thomas said.

According to Variety, Williams said in the affidavit that her former financial advisor, Lori Schiller, called her "of unsound mind," resulting in the bank barring her access.

Williams was placed under a temporary financial guardianship in March. That month, she told "Good Morning America" that she was "absolutely" of sound mind.

On May 19, a New York judge appointed a guardian over Williams' finances until July.

"Wendy doesn't agree with a financial guardian being appointed," Thomas told The Hollywood Reporter. "If it's the court's intention to have one appointed over her affairs for the long haul, she definitely isn't going to accept that."

February 22, 2024: Williams' team reveals via a press release that she was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023.

News of the official diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and dementia was made public two days before the release of Lifetime's two-night documentary, "Where Is Wendy Williams?" The documentary, filmed over nearly two years, follows the titular star's life after the end of her talk show.

"Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions," her care team said in a press release.

"In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia," the statement continued.

Both of these conditions can result in issues with memory and mood changes. Actor Bruce Willis was also previously diagnosed with aphasia and FTD.

The same day that this diagnosis was revealed, TMZ reported that Sabrina Morrissey, Williams' court-appointed guardian, filed a lawsuit against Lifetime's parent company A&E Television Networks, saying in part that the documentary exploited Williams. In response, A&E filed a counterclaim denying the allegations.

March 10, 2025: Williams is taken to a hospital after police conduct a wellness check.

An NYPD spokesperson told Business Insider that officers responded to a welfare check at 505 West 35th Street in Manhattan and emergency responders transported Williams to a nearby hospital for evaluation. The address where the welfare check was conducted is for a luxury assisted living facility called Coterie.

Additionally, The New York Post reported that Williams had dropped a handwritten note outside her window that morning that read, "Help! Wendy!!"

A rep for Williams didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The news came a month after Williams denied having frontotemporal dementia and said she was "not incapacitated" during an interview on "The Breakfast Club." Hours later, People magazine reported that Morrissey, her court-appointed guardian, requested a "new medical evaluation" of Williams in a court filing.

Additional reporting by Natalie Musumeci.

• Creator economy startup Jellysmack has spun off part of its original content business into a new entity.
• Blue Foxes, led by former Jellysmack VPs, will operate some of its social brands.
• SoftBank-banked Jellysmack has gone through layoffs and strategy shifts in recent months.

SoftBank-backed Jellysmack, one of the giants of the creator economy startup landscape, has unloaded another of its units.

The startup has spun off its "Jellysmack Originals" business, the company confirmed to Business Insider.

The new entity is called Blue Foxes, and is led by former Jellysmack Originals VPs Maxime Horbez and Paula Layoun. The company has taken over some of Jellysmack's owned-and-operated social brands, including YouTube channels, Snapchat accounts, and Facebook pages like Beauty Studio, Oh My Goal, Gamology, and House of Bounce, among others.

"We can confirm the launch of Blue Foxes as a spin-off, and we're very happy that the original content team will continue leading this business," Jellysmack's cofounder Michael Philippe told BI.

Jellysmack will continue operating the Law&Crime Network, which it acquired in 2023, and Philippe said the company would focus on US-based IP and YouTube.

Jellysmack raised a nine-figure investment from SoftBank in 2021 and is one of the most prominent startups in the creator industry.

However, Jellysmack — which once had over 1,000 staffers — has undergone significant changes in the past two years, including multiple rounds of layoffs. In March 2024, the company sold off its catalog-licensing business as it prioritized more profitable core initiatives, BI previously reported.

Jellysmack's troubles are part of a larger story. While the broader creator economy startup ecosystem was red hot in terms of venture capital interest and valuations from 2020 to 2023, the space has simmered down. Some startups have consolidated, while others have shed staff or shut down operations.

New name, same game

Blue Foxes is keeping several Jellysmack staffers on the team, per posts from former Jellysmack employees on LinkedIn. Blue Foxes' top executives wrote in separate posts that they hosted a launch party for the new brand in Paris on February 27th.

While Blue Foxes is a separate entity from Jellysmack with a new name and logo, "everything else stays the same," Horbez wrote in a LinkedIn post. "I am very proud to take on the leadership of Blue Foxes alongside Paula. And I'm even more thrilled to embark on this adventure with an incredible team, composed of talent spread across the globe, many of whom have been with us for years."

Horbez did not provide additional comments on the business when reached for comment. Layoun did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

• Donald Trump is buying a Tesla to support Elon Musk.
• Tesla has faced challenges with stock decline, showroom protests, and investor concerns.
• Trump may have wanted the Tesla with the most headroom, or the most controversial model. But, he went with something else.

Donald Trump is getting his hands on a brand-new Tesla, but which model is best for the leader of the free world?

With five Tesla models currently on the market, Trump had a number of considerations to make: like whether he wanted more headroom, more speed, or more controversy.

A parade of shiny new Teslas pulled up to the White House on Tuesday, following Trump's announcement that he would be buying one of the EVs to support his right-hand-man Elon Musk's company.

The electric vehicle company has been struggling ever since Musk became the de-facto leader of DOGE — its stock has plummeted, protests have erupted at showrooms around the country, owners have been offloading their vehicles, and investors are worried.

Here's what Tesla models Trump had to consider — and what he ultimately decided on.

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y: The average Joe's Tesla

If Trump wanted to save the most money, he would have chosen the Model 3 sedan or Model Y SUV.

With a starting price of around $42,000 and $46,000, respectively, the Model 3 and Model Y are Tesla's EVs for the masses — and a key part of Musk's plan to expand electric mobility globally.

Despite being packed with advanced tech and capable of excellent performance, their position as entry-level models and minimalist interiors feels like an unlikely choice for the President's tastes.

Though Trump has been working to save money for the federal government, as someone with an apartment modeled after the Palace of Versailles, he's not known for being particularly frugal with his own money.

Model S: The super sedan

The original Roadster may have been the first Tesla, but it was the Model S that put the EV maker on the map and solidified Musk's position as an innovator in the automotive industry.

The Model S is Tesla's performance flagship, a superlative that will certainly catch Trump's attention. In fact, two Model S vehicles were presented to Trump outside the White House on Tuesday.

The Model S's fastest variant, the "plaid," has a top speed of 200 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds, making it one of the world's 10 fastest-accelerating production cars.

That's enough to make Trump the king of the dragstrip.

The Model S also offers its own kind of Secret Service — a security feature called "Sentry Mode," which uses the car's external cameras to monitor and provide a live feed of outside threats to the vehicle.

With recent reports of Teslas being vandalized, this feature would help protect Trump's car out in public, though it is difficult to imagine a president's car ever being parked out on the street.

Model X: The Fabergé egg of cars

At the White House presentation of Teslas, Trump held in his hand a list of vehicle options that included a silver Model X for $112,490.

Although the Model X is nearly a decade old now, it's still the most interesting and daring vehicle in Tesla's lineup, with a single-piece glass roof windshield and automatic falcon wing doors.

It's a vehicle Musk once called a "work of art" and the Fabergé egg of cars.

On the practical side, if Trump wanted the Tesla with the most headroom for himself and his tall family — Trump's height is listed at 6 foot 3 inches, and his son Barron is between 6 foot 7 and 9 inches — then the Model X would have been the way to go.

With all add-on features included, the four-door SUV Model X can cost over $116,000 (before tax breaks), making it the priciest Tesla on the market.

And as a seven-seater vehicle, Trump and every member of his immediate family — Melania, Tiffany, Barron, Ivanka, Don Jr., and Eric — would all fit into the car at once, though it would likely be a much tighter squeeze than the billionaire family is used to.

As the most expensive Tesla, the Model S may have swayed Trump the most, particularly if he wants to give his buddy's struggling company the biggest boost.

Cybertruck: The most controversial Tesla

Tesla's boldly styled Cyberstruck was sure to, at the very least, grab Trump's attention.

The controversial Cybertruck — the subject of widespread ridicule on social media as well as in real-life attacks — would certainly have made the biggest statement as a show of support for Musk. And as Trump said in his Tuesday tweet, supporting Musk is his main goal in buying a Tesla.

When all add-on features are included, the four-door Cybertruck in Cyberbeast mode can cost over $111,000.

The Cybertruck offers a bit more security than other Tesla models because of its tougher exterior and windows. Still, the EV isn't quite as tough or bulletproof as Musk has claimed. The Cybertruck's stainless steel paneling has been reported to withstand bullets from a handgun, but not from faster weapons. And its "armor glass" windows famously broke during an onstage demonstration at Cybertruck's launch.

One thing Trump may have considered here though is that he does already have a Cybertruck, which was given to him as a gift from conservative, high-profile streamer Adin Ross. And Trump's ultimate choice of Tesla shows he just might not have been ready for His and Hers Cybertrucks.

Trump's choice

Trump appears to have selected a red Model S Tesla sedan — the automaker's fastest option.

"The one I like is that one, and I want the same color," Trump said, pointing to a red Model S, according to NBC News.

Trump told reporters at the event, parts of which were livestreamed on the White House's X account, that as the president he's not allowed to drive on regular roads. But he could likely drive around the White House complex, as Barack Obama once did with Jerry Seinfeld on "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." Trump said since he can't use the car himself, he'll keep it at the White House for staff to use.

• Aerospace company Intuitive Machines launched its lunar lander Athena in February.
• The lunar lander traveled through space in SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
• It landed on its side in a crater 820 feet away from the intended landing site and is no longer functioning.

Intuitive Machines, an American space company, launched its lunar lander Athena to the moon in late February, but the craft had a rough touchdown, landing in a crater and flipping over on its side.

Athena landed about 820 feet away from its intended landing site, which was in the Mons Mouton region on the moon's south pole, Intuitive Machines said in a press release on Friday.

"Images downlinked from Athena on the lunar surface confirmed that Athena was on her side," Intuitive Machines said, adding that its batteries depleted some time after landing.

The company said it "does not expect Athena to recharge," given the direction of the sun, the orientation of Athena's solar panels, and the frigid temperatures in the crater it had landed in.

The lander was transported to the moon on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.

Representatives for Intuitive Machines did not respond to a request for comment.

A photo shared by the company showed the lander on its side on the surface of the moon, with some of the legs it is meant to stand on up in the air.

Intuitive Machines said the mission, IM-2, was intended to "demonstrate lunar mobility, resource prospecting, and analysis of volatile substances from subsurface material."

The company also said that despite the lander landing on its side, its teams are analyzing the data that was collected and that insights from the mission would open up the region, known for harsh conditions, to more space exploration.

NASA also said Intuitive Machines was able to collect some data for the agency before the mission came to its earlier-than-expected end.

"Our targeted landing site near the lunar South Pole is one of the most scientifically interesting, and geographically challenging locations on the Moon," Nicky Fox, associate administrator for science at NASA, said in a statement. "Each success and setback are opportunities to learn and grow, and we will use this lesson to propel our efforts to advance science, exploration, and commercial development as we get ready for human exploration of Mars."

• After living in Scottsdale, Arizona, for 20+ years, I've seen countless newcomers make mistakes.
• Some expect a hike through the desert to be the same as a hike through the woods, but it's not.
• Others don't look out for desert wildlife, which can lead to painful or even fatal consequences.

After more than two decades living in Scottsdale, I've learned a thing or two about the West's Most Western Town.

Although I'm thrilled that so many people flock here for the sunshine and world-class hiking trails, I see many of them make avoidable errors that get in the way of their perfect trips.

Here are the 10 biggest mistakes I've witnessed tourists make in Scottsdale.

Not properly preparing to visit in the summer

Visiting in the summer isn't for the faint of heart, as temperatures can hover around 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

People brush off Scottsdale's extreme heat by saying that it's dry, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's not scorching there in the summer months. After all, ovens use dry heat and have no problem cooking things. 

During Scottsdale summers, temperatures routinely hover around 115 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks on end, which makes outdoor activities difficult at best and downright dangerous at worst. 

Sure, you'll find some of the best hotel deals during the low season — rates at five-star resorts can drop up to 60% from peak-season prices — but the savings come with some seriously sweaty tradeoffs.

Also, if you're traveling with your dog, be sure to protect their paws from the steaming hot pavement and have water on hand to keep them well-hydrated.

Eating at chain restaurants instead of local spots

If you want a true taste of Scottsdale, focus on local options. 

Mexican and Southwestern flavors are staples in this region, so you'll find no shortage of restaurants offering tantalizing tacos, prickly pear margaritas, and tableside guacamole presentations. 

For example, Old Town Tortilla Factory is known for its homemade tortillas and tequila bar with 120 premium options. It's located in a historic adobe house with a charming patio. 

Scottsdale also offers world-class eateries serving global cuisines, along with James Beard Award-winning chefs and restaurants.

Not making restaurant reservations

As one of the warmest spots in the country, Scottsdale's high season runs from October through April, the opposite of most US cities.

During this timeframe, snowbirds flee their primary residences in colder states in favor of their second homes in our warmer climate, and plenty of first-time tourists come here to enjoy the weather too. 

Plus, winter is when Scottsdale hosts some of its most popular annual events, including the Barrett-Jackson auction in January, the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February, and the Cactus League spring training games in February and March.

Hotels, Airbnbs, spas, golf courses, and restaurants book up weeks or months in advance during these events, so you'll need to make reservations ahead of time in order to enjoy your dream itinerary. 

This town runs on reservations, so those who don't plan ahead get left behind.

Seeing the city without a car

There aren't a ton of public-transportation options in Scottsdale, so I advise renting a vehicle to explore the entire city, which is about 31 miles long and 11 miles wide.

You'll find epic hiking trails and award-winning golf courses up north and many art galleries and museums further south. 

If you plan on visiting without a car and don't want to rent one, your best bet is to spend time in Old Town Scottsdale, where you'll find hotels, restaurants, wine-tasting rooms, breweries, museums, public art installations, art galleries, and shops within walking distance. 

Here, you can rent electric scooters and bicycles, make use of golf-cart services and the free trolley, or book traditional rideshare options.

Forgetting to watch out for desert wildlife

If people aren't on the lookout for wildlife, they might be in for a painful surprise. After all, the desert is full of venomous and predatory creatures.

Scottsdale is home to Arizona bark scorpions, the most venomous scorpions in North America. They're notorious for hiding in shoes, so always check before slipping your feet inside. Their stings are rarely fatal for humans, but they do hurt for days. 

The Sonoran Desert is also home to Gila monsters, black widow spiders, rattlesnakes, coral snakes, coyotes, bobcats, and javelinas. 

You could certainly see any of these on a hike, but they're also not strangers to residential and touristy areas.

Failing to properly prepare for a hike

Scottsdale is known for its miles of incredible hiking trails, many of which lead travelers through stunning desert preserves or up steep mountains. 

But one of the biggest mistakes tourists make is thinking a hike through the desert is the same as a hike through the woods. It's not. 

There's often very little, if any, shade, so you'll want to wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen. You'll also need to wear proper footwear, which means no flip-flops, since the landscape is rocky and dusty. 

Bring a lot more water than you think you'll need, too. A good rule of thumb is to always turn back when you've run through half your water supply, advice you'll probably see displayed at some trailheads.

On the trails, be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, which blend into the landscape, and avoid brushing up against sharp cactus needles. 

Hiking Camelback Mountain, one of the most iconic landmarks in Scottsdale, is like a badge of honor. However, few visitors realize that both trails, Echo Canyon and Cholla, are seriously challenging. You have to climb on your hands to scramble to the top.

Once you summit, the view is well worth the climb. If you choose to hike Camelback in the summer, start at sunrise and finish by mid-morning to avoid heat exhaustion.

Thinking hiking is the only outdoor activity in Scottsdale

Scottsdale has 400 impressive miles of hiking trails, but there's plenty more to see and do here. 

Bike on the paved Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, go off-roading in the Sonoran Desert, or trail run in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  

Other options include riding a train at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and tubing or stand-up paddleboarding on the Lower Salt River. 

If none of those activities excite you, book a Segway tour of Old Town, explore the beauty of Butterfly Wonderland, or take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West.

Skipping Scottsdale's robust arts scene

Take some time to explore Scottsdale's pedestrian-friendly Arts District, which is right in the heart of Old Town and offers a little something for everyone.

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art showcases contemporary art and is free every Thursday and the second Saturday of each month. 

To enjoy art outside, take the self-guided Scottsdale Public Art Walking Tour, which winds you through more than 70 public artworks — including bronze statues, fountains, and interactive installations — in the span of about an hour. There are also dozens of galleries to pop into along the way. 

Finally, don't miss Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, a Smithsonian affiliate.

Buying inauthentic Native American crafts as souvenirs

As you stroll around Scottsdale's shops, you're likely to encounter plenty of wares that look like they're made by the local tribes in Arizona. Don't be fooled.

Native Art Market is the first and only Indigenous-owned shop in Old Town Scottsdale, bringing cultural awareness to tourists and allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the state's indigenous culture and art. 

All the vendors are of Native American descent and provide quality handmade items — including turquoise jewelry, carved wood-handled knives, kachina dolls, dream catchers, paintings, baskets, and pottery.

Underestimating the power of our city's storms

Scottsdale has more than 330 sunny days each year, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows here.

Speaking of rainbows, they typically only come out during Arizona's monsoon season, which runs from June to September. This accounts for a large chunk of the area's annual precipitation. These storms can be intense, with high winds, flash floods, and even damaging hail. 

Unless you're really familiar with the roads, I don't recommend getting on a motor-powered vehicle during one. What seems like a little dip in the road can actually be a lake, and any dry washes can quickly transform into raging rivers. 

We also have haboobs, or massive dust storms, that can stretch as far as 100 miles wide and thousands of feet high. They sweep across the desert landscape, flinging debris and reducing visibility to nearly zero. 

This story was originally published on August 1, 2023, and most recently updated on March 11, 2025.

• Content creators are hiring for a number of jobs on their teams and production staff.
• The creator economy's growth has increased demand for roles like video editors and scriptwriters.
• YTJobs saw a 33% rise in job opportunities in Q4, with average pay for video editors up by 18%.

Maybe your dream of becoming a YouTube star didn't quite go as planned. Well, you could work for one instead.

More YouTube creators and other social media influencers are hiring for the teams and production staff who help them create content and run their businesses.

YTJobs CEO Sina Sahami said the company's creator job board saw a 33% year-over-year increase in the number of job opportunities listed in the fourth quarter.

The uptick in hiring comes as more creators boost production quality with recognizable characters and storylines, said Lydia DeCoud, a digital agent at CAA.

Business Insider spoke with talent managers, agents, and other professionals on influencer teams who shared some of the most sought-after jobs creators are hiring for. Their responses ranged from roles that require minimal experience, like a personal assistant, to higher-level positions, like a graphics editor.

For instance, short-form video creator Alan Chikin Chow last year opened his own production studio in Burbank down the street from Hollywood studios and sound stages. Chow's team recently posted a listing for a full-time job as a behind-the-scenes vlogger to capture moments on set between the team.

YouTube's most-subscribed-to creator, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast to his 371 million subscribers, has dozens of job openings available. His team is hiring for roles ranging from brand strategist and director of strategic partnerships to TikTok specialist.

Although most creators don't run operations as large as Donaldson and Chow's, these job openings show what type of talent content creators need.

YTJobs analyzed thousands of creator job listings. The most in-demand roles for content creators in Q4 were:

• Video editor (61% of total job postings)
• Thumbnail designer (12%)
• Scriptwriter (12%)

The fastest-growing roles year-over-year were:

• YouTube strategist (120% growth in job postings)
• Scriptwriter (42% growth)
• Thumbnail designer (39% growth)

Several talent managers, agents, and other creator professionals told BI that creators are most commonly looking for personal and executive assistants to help with tasks like unboxing packages, capturing content, and booking travel. They're also looking for video editors, graphics editors, talent coordinators, and social media managers.

Dominick Paielli, cofounder of the influencer talent management firm The Clementine Group, said his firm is looking for editors and plans to offer them for clients to use so that there is a consistent flow of videos uploaded.

Some creators are offering higher pay for key roles

Some talent agencies are hiring, too. Dan Weinstein, cofounder and co-CEO of Underscore Talent, said his team recently hired several specialized employees including someone to help manage, advise, and run creator paywall businesses, a staffer to help clients navigate affiliate marketing, and a podcast expert.

Five talent managers also said their companies are hiring more influencer managers, ideally those with established client bases.

Finding talent with the right experience can be tricky for the average creator, though. Multiple startups have launched to help solve this issue by organizing job listings for creators, such as YTJobs, Creator Economy Jobs, and Roster. These startups act as job boards and recruiting platforms.

YTJobs said some creators are offering higher pay as well, based on data from recent job postings. For instance, the average pay for full-time video editor roles increased 18% year-over-year in Q4, while pay for full-time YouTube strategists was up 26%.