Good Morning!

It's Friday, June 6, and in today’s edition of Rise & Recap, we look at:

• Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s public break up. 

• Americans are cooking at home again, as much as Covid! 

• HIV might have a potential cure.

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Spill The News

Elon Musk, Donald Trump Break Up (In Very Public Fashion)

The long-simmering tension between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk erupted into a public clash on Thursday, pitting the world’s most powerful man against its richest in a flurry of personal jabs and political threats. It began with Trump slamming Musk’s criticism of the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill”. “I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill,” Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot.” Full timeline of this public meltdown.

In a very public fashion, the feud turned online as the duo posted through it. Trump hinted the government might sever ties with Musk’s companies, while Musk fired back by amplifying calls for Trump’s impeachment, floating the idea of a new party, claiming he was the reason why Trump won, and referencing the president’s past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. 

The fallout marks a sharp turn in their once-close relationship. Musk donated over $250 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign and was later tapped for a key role in his administration. But their alliance frayed as Trump prioritized big spending and Musk stepped back from government. Five takeaways. 

In the aftermath, Tesla shares plunged, erasing $152 million in market value and TrumpCoin was down nearly 10% in value. However, there are numerous ways the two can hurt each other. But, why were they really fighting?

Related Read:Internet pulled out popcorn as the two most powerful men in the world fought.

Trump-Xi Discuss Tariffs on Call

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a 90-minute phone call on Thursday amid escalating U.S.–China tensions, with an in-person meeting now planned “shortly”, Trump said on Truth Social. According to China’s foreign ministry, the White House initiated the call, which was underway as of 9 a.m. ET.

Trump shared a few specifics, noting only that the conversation focused on trade. He said on Truth Social that they spoke about “some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to Trade Deal”. Trump added that the call “resulted in a very positive conclusion for both Countries”. During the call, Trump said that Xi invited him to visit China, and he, in turn, extended an invitation for Xi to visit the U.S. “So, I will be going there with the first lady at a certain point, and he'll be coming here hopefully with the first lady of China,” Trump told reporters later in the Oval Office.

The U.S. and China have been locked in a trade war, though a recent Geneva handshake deal eased tariffs — down to 30% on Chinese imports and 10% on U.S. goods. It marks the first known call between the two leaders during Trump’s second term; they last spoke in January before his inauguration.

Germany’s Merz Survives the Oval Office

President Trump met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office on Thursday, where Merz urged Trump to increase pressure on Russia. Trump made no commitments, instead comparing Ukraine and Russia to "two kids" who needed to fight it out. “Sometimes you let them fight for a while,” he said.

Merz navigated the 40-minute meeting without facing the kind of public dressing-down Trump has delivered to other leaders. He largely let Trump dominate the conversation, stepping in only to say, “Germany owes the Americans a lot.”

The high-stakes meeting focused on the transatlantic trade dispute, Europe’s security architecture, the upcoming NATO summit, and continued support for Ukraine. During the meeting, Trump also criticized Germany’s past energy ties with Russia but blamed former Chancellor Angela Merkel, not Merz. He also struck a positive note on U.S.-EU trade negotiations, which are currently at a sensitive stage. “I’ll go back with the feeling that we have a good relationship between the U.S. president and the chancellor,” Merz told ZDF after the meeting. Watch the meeting.

Click-Worthy

⚖️ U.S. sanctions ICC judges probing Israel and Afghanistan war crimes.

💸 Big spender marries frugal partner — can you ever save?

🏢 A Supreme Court ruling that could redefine how we look at workplace bias.

🏛️ States push FDA to loosen mifepristone rules.

🍳 Americans have not cooked this much at home since 2020!

⚠️ Opioid deaths among young people see an alarming increase. 

💉 COVID’s mRNA may help cure HIV. 

🤖 AI kiss and hug apps are emerging and it’s lowkey creepy.

👨‍⚕️ Plastic surgery procedures are surging among Washington men.

👁️ Weight-loss drugs may risk sudden eye damage in diabetic patients.

The Glow Guide

🌞 Think your SPF foundation’s got you covered? Think again. Dermatologists spill the tea on why makeup alone won’t save your skin.

❤️ Mini nail stickers are having a moment — tiny cherries, stars, and hearts that instantly upgrade your mani with zero effort.

The Fame Frame

💃 Taylor Swift stuns in black dress on date night with Travis Kelce. 

🌪️ Miley Cyrus (subtly) shades ex Liam Hemsworth!

🛁 Sydney Sweeney claps back at bathwater soap backlash.

🕷️ Jennifer Lopez spins drama and allure in ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ teaser.

✨ Justin Bieber flaunts fresh piercings in latest star-studded photo drop.

The POV Club

In ‘Women’s tales of tables for one,’ Carole writes, “I was told that I was not allowed to sit at the bar alone, as I would be seen as a ‘hooker’ and the bar didn’t want ‘hookers’ in the restaurant.”

In ‘This is what a war on knowledge looks like,’ David Ignatius writes, “Trump isn’t attacking just universities but the entire ecosystem that supports their research.”

Go. See. Do.

🗽 Visit | Readers favourite NYC restaurants from top 100!

🌲 Explore | This California alternative to Yosemite.

🍽️ Cook | A quick dinner that’s easy on the wallet too. 

⏳ Try | Anti-aging hacks for busy people.   

“Stop shrinking to fit places you've outgrown.”

— Danielle Doby