Just for Xeets and Giggles

Elon Musk, somewhat unfortunately, was in the news quite a bit this week. It started when he claimed that the social media platform he now calls X, which he overpaid for to the astronomical sum of $44 billion, is failing because of Jews.

That’s right, folks! It’s the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) that is causing his loss of advertising revenue because they have correctly pointed out to advertisers that Musk has allowed Nazis and white supremacists back on the platform, and their brands are running alongside swastikas and other fascist symbols.

What a free speech advocate, right?

People called him out immediately for this.

Some used memes to illustrate the point clearly that it was Elon’s insane new policies that drove advertisers away.

Some had even called it 10 months ago.

Twitter’s, I mean, X-Twitter’s, new “CEO” Linda Yaccarino had her hands full with this PR nightmare. She tried hard, but got shut down in six words.

And, oh, he’s threatening to sue! More free speech advocacy! Discovery in this threatened defamation suit should be interesting. For example, was ADL telling the truth about the rise of antisemitism and Nazis on the platform? Because that would be a complete defense. They might not have to look far…

And if you’re a student of the history of hate in America and know your antisemites well, this should resonate:

If Elon thought he was having a bad week being called out for wanting to sue the ADL for defamation, the world wasn’t at all done with him. In a book about the worst richest person ever, biographer Walter Isaacson wrote a stunner:

Wait, what? Musk helped the Russians out and spared their navy from a Ukrainian attack? George Takei, with an assist from our team, weighed in.

The implications for our national security were not lost on anyone. There are reports of Musk’s communications with Russian officials prior to the decision. And there are already calls for congressional hearings and for Musk to be stripped of his contractor’s national security clearance.

To understand the bizarre and unsettling timeline we are in, consider this exchange where Elon ponders whether to insert himself into an international conflict while being bombarded with Russian disinformation.

Alarmed observers took note.

And satirists went to work! (I don’t know who to credit for this masterpiece…)

And this pretty much summed up the Musk-read news for me:

The week was filled with other news of power-hungry, rich people screwing up badly. Truth Social, the competitor platform that Trump launched after he got banned from Twitter, is in big trouble as its shareholders face another deadline to extend a merger that could save the company.

Here was former GOP strategist turned Never Trumper Rick Wilson’s shocked face:

Lindsey Graham’s name reappeared in the news because he was listed among 21 other people the investigative grand jury in Georgia had recommended indicting. That’s a lucky break, but a terrible look for the senator. Theories abound as to why Fani Willis decided not to indict him (my own view is that this would have raised the risk of federal removal by a lot). But I like this one, too:

Okay, and what is it with house flies landing on GOP cowards as they speak live before the cameras? Is it just bad luck, or is it the strong smell of bullshit wafting from their mouths? Click to watch.

This insect, going by the handle #Gadfly, reportedly was the same one on Mike Pence’s head in the VP debate, according to Buzzfeed.

District Attorney Fani Willis had some big wins this week, including smacking down Mark Meadows’s request for removal of the case to federal court and suggesting in an epic take down of Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) that he could brush upon his RICO law by purchasing RICO State-by-State which was available to “non-members of the bar” for $249. I loved this take:

Other MAGA acolytes were having a bad week. Vivek Pharma-swampy was eviscerated by Mehdi Hasan, who reminded us how to do an interview with a serial liar when he pointed out that Vivek had applied for a Soros scholarship when he was already rich. Click to watch:

There was also this heated exchange on the question of his prior criticism of Trump, which was in writing and hard to escape. Click to watch:

Sometimes the universe can be a bit too on the nose, though. In Iowa, Vivek literally got hit in the head by the truth.

Sometimes the truth is awkward, dude.

Speaking of awkward, this particular conservative self-own was super cringe.

Despite the community notes, conservatives kept trying to claim this gem as their own. It got better.

The last two days of Burning Man was more like Drowning Man, and it made for some memorable Twitterage.

The great Matt Ruby, again with comedy gold:

As someone with many friends who went to Burning Man, I felt this deeply.

I have a lot of sympathy for artists and young revelers stuck in tents in the mud, but honestly had to work on generating compassion for the wealthy tech bros who have warped the original spirit of the gathering.

Speaking of famous people problems, Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner are splitting up. As a somewhat vertically-challenged person myself, I still laughed at this and am probably going to hell for it.

I’ve had some romantic interludes with guys who had an identical twin, and so I totally get this vibe in the video.

And speaking of confusing mistakes you wish you could take back, there was this gem:

In animal videos this week, I present this magnificent and rare kagu. Watch this moment.

My kitty does this with his tail, but a fighting back paw is a new one for me in this clip.

The commentary here is *chef’s kiss*.

What would they call the game instead of rock, paper, scissors? Cow, dog…no, too easy.

I’m happy that this child did not turn around at that moment. He might never sleep well again. Click to watch.

Great weekend chill action here in this clip.

And I can never look at crocodiles the same way again after this.

In other what you see at first isn’t what’s going on news, I saw this barber shop illusion on Facebook, and it’s breaking my brain. Click to watch.

Silly humans! Oh, and this is me, and probably a lot of you.

Pro-tip: If you’re going to be obsessive about correcting spelling, make sure you have British mode off.

This mini-story had me giggling at imagining it playing out:

I send you into the rest of your weekend with a dad joke. It’s a pretty darned good one, in answer to an age-old mystery:

See you back here tomorrow! And remember, if these Xeets brought a giggle, you can put a smile on my face with an upgrade of your account!

Jay