Evening Brief: Trump Says Relationship with Musk Over, Supreme Court Gives DOGE Access to Social Security Info, Russian Spies Don’t Trust China

· Guy D. McCardle

The Supreme Court opens the gates—granting DOGE sweeping access to Americans’ Social Security records while a legal battle over privacy hangs in the balance.

Trump and Musk Break Ties in Public Falling-Out

Donald Trump made it official: his once-cozy relationship with Elon Musk is now in the rearview mirror. In an interview published on June 7, 2025, Trump was blunt when asked if the relationship was over. “I would assume so, yeah,” he said—his clearest statement yet that the bromance is dead.

Trump didn’t hold back when speaking to reporters. He voiced “great disappointment” in Musk and reflected on their former alliance, saying,

“Elon and I had a wonderful relationship. I’m not sure if that will remain.”

The feud has been simmering for a while. Trump has openly floated the idea of canceling federal contracts with Musk’s companies. Musk, never one to back down, responded with criticism of Trump’s policies and even aligned himself with efforts to impeach the president. This wasn’t a spat—it was a full-scale public unraveling.

Then Musk hit a nerve. He resurrected accusations linking Trump to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a move Trump saw as the final straw. According to Trump, that was the point of no return. Now, the former president says he has “no plans to speak to Musk as the feud persists,” making it crystal clear this split is likely permanent.

 

Supreme Court Greenlights DOGE Access to Americans’ Private Data—for Now

In a major move with significant privacy implications, the U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily cleared the way for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access sensitive Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The 6-3 ruling lets DOGE access unredacted personal data—including Social Security numbers, medical and mental health info, banking records, and even family court details—for millions of Americans. This access comes while a lawsuit challenging the agency’s reach is still making its way through the courts.

The order, which came unsigned, didn’t include any explanation from the majority. But the three liberal justices weren’t quiet—they dissented loudly, warning of “grave privacy risks” and blasting the decision for handing over “unrestricted access” to data before the legality of DOGE’s actions could be fully reviewed.

Unions and advocacy groups behind the lawsuit argue that DOGE, a brainchild of President Trump’s plan to slash bureaucratic bloat, was given access to private data without enough oversight or safeguards. That, they say, violates the Privacy Act of 1974 and puts millions of people at risk.

DOGE, originally launched under Elon Musk’s leadership, claims it needs full access to root out fraud and streamline the SSA. Whether the Supreme Court eventually rules in its favor remains to be seen. But for now, DOGE has the green light to keep poking around in Americans’ most personal information—no redactions, no filters.

 

Behind Closed Doors, Russian Spies Don’t Trust China One Bit

On the surface, Moscow and Beijing keep trumpeting their “no limits” friendship. But behind the curtain, Russian intelligence officials are sounding the alarm about China’s intentions. According to leaked memos and classified files, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has officially labeled China a significant national security threat—even as Putin publicly praises the partnership.

One FSB unit doesn’t even mince words—they reportedly call China “the adversary.” That unit has tracked an uptick in Chinese efforts to recruit Russian operatives and gain access to sensitive military tech, with a focus on aerospace and defense. The message is clear: Russia’s spy agencies see Chinese espionage not as a possibility, but as an ongoing operation.

The FSB also believes China is watching Russia’s war in Ukraine closely—not to help, but to learn. Chinese intelligence appears to be studying how Western weapons perform and how battlefield tactics evolve, likely with an eye toward their own potential conflicts in Taiwan or the South China Sea.

There’s more. Russian counterspies are raising red flags about Chinese research projects in the Arctic and Central Asia, suspecting these are thinly veiled fronts for surveillance and influence campaigns. They’re also worried about China laying the groundwork for future land grabs in Russia’s Far East.

In response, the FSB has launched internal countermeasures. Russian officials working with Chinese companies or academic groups are being closely watched, and apps like WeChat are now flagged for monitoring. Economically, China may still be a lifeline for Russia. But internally, it’s clear: the trust between these so-called allies is paper-thin.

 

Aid Operations in Gaza Grind to a Halt After Deadly Chaos at Distribution Sites

Humanitarian aid deliveries in Gaza have come to a screeching halt after repeated scenes of chaos and bloodshed at distribution centers left dozens dead and scores more injured. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—a U.S. and Israeli-backed group—suspended all operations this week after desperate crowds surged toward aid trucks, triggering responses from Israeli forces.

GHF pulled the plug, citing a total breakdown in crowd control and the inability to keep their workers or aid-seekers safe. The organization says it won’t restart until there are major improvements in logistics and security. Until then, they’re urging people to stay away from the sites “for their safety.” The Israeli military doubled down, warning that roads leading to distribution zones are now considered “combat zones,” which only adds more danger to an already dire situation.

The international outcry has been swift. Aid groups say cutting off food deliveries in the middle of a humanitarian crisis is a disaster in the making. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians now face even deeper shortages, and there’s no clear plan to get assistance flowing again any time soon.