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PORTILLO'S INC-CL A

Portillos

Portillos Inc serves the Chicago street food industry through high-energy and multichannel restaurants designed to ignite the senses and create memorable dining experiences. It owns and operates fast-casual restaurants in the United States, along with two food production commissaries in Illinois. Its menu includes hot dogs, beef and sausage sandwiches, sandwiches and ribs, salads, burgers, chicken, Barnelli's pasta, sides and soup, and desserts and shakes.

Portillos Inc

President Donald Trump&#8216;s approval remained unchanged this week, reflecting a continued pattern of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/05/45581555/growth-vs-value-expert-views-collide-on-the-impact-of-trumps-big-beautiful-bill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subdued public support in May</a>.
His second-term ratings have consistently trailed behind the average benchmarks, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/30/president-trump-approval-rating-polls/83947020007/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports </a>USA Today.
Trump ended April with an average job <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/659534/trump-first-quarter-approval-rating-below-average.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approval</a> of 45%, slightly higher than the 41% recorded during the same period in his first term, per a Gallup report.
However, the figure still lags behind the 60% average enjoyed by other presidents during their early terms since 1952, per a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/donald-trump-approval-rating-polls.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">report </a>from the New York Times.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/25/05/45693219/feds-favorite-inflation-gauge-slows-but-trumps-china-accusation-flips-market-mood" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fed&#8217;s Favorite Inflation Gauge Slows, But Trump&#8217;s China Accusation Flips Market Mood</a>
As of May 30, the New York Times&#8217; polling aggregator placed Trump&#8217;s approval rating at 45%, with 52% disapproval.
&#8220;Our average has shown a slight uptick in President Trump&#8217;s approval rating recently,&#8221; writes Ruth Igielnik, Staff editor.
The YouGov/Yahoo News poll <a target="_blank" href="https://www.scribd.com/document/869057574/Yahoo-News-YouGov-Afrikaner-Poll-May-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported </a>41% approval versus 54% disapproval, while a YouGov/Economist survey <a target="_blank" href="https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/econTabReport_WokQXF7.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">measured </a>approval at 44% and disapproval at 52%, USA Today reports.
In contrast, a Morning Consult poll <a target="_blank" href="https://pro.morningconsult.com/trackers/donald-trump-congress-policy-republicans-polling" rel="noreferrer noopener">placed </a>Trump&#8217;s approval higher at 48%, with disapproval at 51%.
A separate RMG Research poll <a target="_blank" href="https://napolitannews.org/assets/pdfs/6839c74590fa0-gcm25-0528-toplines-trump-job-approal-and-most-important-issues.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener">showed </a>Trump narrowly underwater with 49% approval and 50% disapproval.
Over the last week, Trump has made headlines for controversial actions, including granting clemency to a former governor, a rapper, and a gang leader.
He also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45610237/trump-targets-usa-hating-judges-immigrants-and-biden-in-capital-letters-on-memorial-day-fear-not-we-have-made-great-progress" rel="noreferrer noopener">addressed the nation on Memorial Day</a> and doubled down on trade tariffs after a court allowed their continued enforcement. Additionally, Trump proposed Canada&#8217;s inclusion in a U.S. missile defense plan—if the country <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/space/25/05/45636081/trump-dangles-golden-dome-missile-shield-says-its-free-if-canada-becomes-51st-state-king-charles-fires-back-the-true-north-is-indeed-strong-and-free" rel="noreferrer noopener">agrees to become the 51st state.</a>
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Image: Shutterstock/Shutterstock AI

Politics

Trump's Approval Ratings Continue To Remain Below Historical Averages

Ulike Air 10 IPL Hair Removal Device is making waves in the at-home beauty tech market—and for good reason. With powerful features designed to rival professional treatments, it's quickly become a go-to option for users seeking salon-level results from the comfort of their own homes.
Priced competitively and often discounted on major retail sites, the Ulike Air 10 stands out for both its performance and design. This latest model offers improved intensity, quicker treatment times, and enhanced user comfort, positioning it well above many rivals in the IPL (intense pulsed light) category. 
&#8220;The Air 10 is the result of a decade of focused IPL expertise — each feature, from Ice Cooling to SHR Mode, is built to deliver professional-grade results with unmatched comfort at home,&#8221;Ulike GM, Leona Liu told Benzinga. 
What Makes the Ulike Air 10 Stand Out?
The Air 10 uses a new-generation IPL dual-light technology that allows for more efficient energy transfer, resulting in faster results with fewer sessions. Most users begin noticing visible hair reduction within just three weeks of regular use. What's especially impressive is the built-in sapphire ice-cooling system that keeps skin temperature regulated during sessions, dramatically minimizing pain or discomfort—something even high-end devices often lack.
Another thoughtful feature is the ergonomic, lightweight design. Unlike bulkier models, the Air 10 fits comfortably in hand, making it easy to target hard-to-reach areas like the bikini line or underarms. The device also includes multiple intensity settings, allowing users to adjust based on skin tone and sensitivity, an important consideration for safe at-home use.
How It Compares to Other Devices
Compared to devices like the RoseSkinCo Lumi, the Ulike Air 10 offers more robust performance and advanced features. While the Lumi is appreciated for its simplicity and lower price point, it lacks features like skin-cooling tech and the same level of intensity control. For those new to IPL or using it on small areas, Lumi may suffice, but for more permanent, full-body results, Air 10 leads the pack.
SheKnows praised the Ulike Air 10 for delivering "professional-level results" at home and called it one of the most effective and comfortable devices in its category. In contrast, alternatives like the SEMINO Advanced Lumea Ace cater to users looking for basic functionality at a reduced cost but may require more frequent treatments to achieve the same outcomes.
Value and Verdict
The Ulike Air 10 IPL usually retails at a premium price point, but ongoing deals often bring the cost down significantly. Recent discounts have made it one of the best-value premium IPL devices currently available. It also comes with a generous warranty and helpful customer support, adding more value to the purchase.
The Bottom Line: If you&#8217;re serious about long-term hair reduction and want a device that balances power, comfort, and speed, the Ulike Air 10 is worth the investment. Its thoughtful design and proven effectiveness make it a top-tier choice in the growing world of home-based beauty tech.

News

Ulike Air 10 Review: Why Beauty Experts Are Calling It a Game-Changer

Pop artist Kesha is expanding her influence beyond music and into the tech sector with last week's<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ9jYzwurcB/?igsh=MWE5MHlsNWtmdmhyaA%3D%3D&amp;img_index=3"> announcement</a> of her new startup, Smash, a platform aimed at empowering music creators through collaboration, transparency, and rights protection.
The initiative marks the artist's formal entrance into the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45642134/alation-just-bought-numbers-station-an-18-person-ai-startup-born-at-stanford-backed-by-intel-ceo-lip-bu-tan-and-tableaus-mark-nelson">startup</a> world. Kesha, who recently regained ownership of her music and voice following a high-profile legal battle with her former producer, is seeking to rewrite the rules of an industry she calls deeply flawed, according to<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/kesha-smash/"> Wired</a>.
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&#8220;After what I&#8217;ve gone through and seeing the things that I&#8217;ve seen, seeing that the system is really broken. It&#8217;s gatekeeping by people that can do what they want,&#8221; Kesha told Wired in an interview.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Smash Seeks To Rebuild The Industry With A Creator-First Approach</h2>
According to Kesha, Smash is envisioned as a &#8220;LinkedIn for music creators&#8221; with a &#8220;Fiverr-style marketplace&#8221; where <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/04/38060686/over-200-artists-including-billie-eilish-and-katie-perry-demand-ai-respect-for-music-rights">artists</a> can offer services, hire one another, and collaborate without giving up rights to their intellectual property. She emphasized to Wired that the platform will eliminate gatekeeping, offering musicians a space to network without needing third-party intermediaries.
&#8220;I want a place where artists and music makers of any kind can have community, they can collaborate, they can hire each other and retain all the rights to everything they create,&#8221; Kesha said. &#8220;There's no gatekeeping of contacts.&#8221;
According to Wired, the platform is currently in its seed funding stage, with no official launch date set.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Startup Is Led By Seasoned Tech Talent From Apple And Facebook</h2>
According to<a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/23/kesha-is-now-a-startup-founder/"> TechCrunch</a>, Kesha has brought in Alan Cannistraro as Smash's chief technology officer. Cannistraro is a seasoned software engineer who spent 12 years at Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), contributing to the development of early iOS apps. He later joined Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), where he created the popular Year-In-Review feature for Facebook.&nbsp;
Cannistraro also previously founded the social video startup Rheo. His background in building user-centric software products positions Smash with a strong technical foundation, TechCrunch reports.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kesha&#8217;s Personal Mission Energized By Industry Experience</h2>
The inspiration for Smash came to Kesha during what she described as a psychedelic experience that helped clarify her purpose. The app, she told Wired, is about &#8220;building the next dimension&#8221; for creatives who are often underpaid, undervalued, or exploited by traditional music business structures.
&#8220;I want to make sure what happened to me never happens to anyone else again,&#8221; she said.
See Also: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/a-cure-for-osteoarthritis-powered-by-everyday-investors-cytonics-is-looking-to-beat-big-pharma-and-disrupt-a-390-billion-market"> Invest in Cytonics and help disrupt a $390B Big Pharma stronghold</a>.
Smash arrives as the creator economy continues to grow. According to<a href="https://www.midiaresearch.com/blog/state-of-the-music-creator-economy-the-consumer-era"> MIDiA Research</a>, there were nearly 75.9 million music creators globally at the end of 2023, with that number expected to exceed 198.2 million by 2030.
Along with Smash, Kesha is also preparing to release her sixth studio album, symbolically titled &#8220;.&#8221;, under her own independent label, Kesha Records, on July 4. The timing coincides with her U.S. tour, which is her first as a fully independent artist, Wired reports.
Backed by experienced engineering talent and informed by firsthand industry challenges, Smash may become a key player in reshaping how music creators connect, collaborate, and protect their rights.
Read Next: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart &amp; Target – <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/mode-mobile-2">Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.30/share!</a>
Image: Shutterstock

AAPL

Pop Icon Kesha Says 'The System Is Broken' As She Launches Smash, A Fiverr-Style Music App Backed To Lead A Creative Revolution

Many Americans are stuck <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43947512/dave-ramsey-baffled-by-family-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-on-600000-a-year-why-do-you-need-18000-a-month-to-run-your-household">living paycheck to paycheck</a>, and it's not just because they don't make enough money. While low wages and the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/03/44420778/us-consumers-face-risks-as-rising-cost-of-living-job-market-cracks-threaten-spending-bank-of-america-warns">rising cost of living</a> are factors, Reddit users recently shared a much broader picture of the problem, revealing how complex and widespread the issue really is.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">It's More Than Just Low Wages</h2>
&#8220;At first glance, it seems obvious: people just don't make enough money, right?&#8221; one Redditor <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/budget/comments/1kprv28/what_is_the_main_cause_to_americans_living/">wrote</a>. &#8220;But the more I read and the more conversations I had, the more I realized that income is only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.&#8221;
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Many pointed to the rising cost of living. Essentials like rent, food, healthcare, and transportation have surged, while wages have barely moved. &#8220;The cost of living has doubled and we&#8217;re still getting paid the same ridiculous salary,&#8221; one person wrote.&nbsp;
Even people who do save find themselves drained by constant emergencies. &#8220;I was just starting to feel good! Caught up on bills, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/44656837/build-your-retirement-portfolio-while-saving-for-emergencies-a-roth-ira-can-double-as-an-emergency-fund-is-that-true">saving for emergencies</a>, finally contributing to my retirement then a random light flashes on my car dashboard,&#8221; someone shared. &#8220;There goes all the emergency money I built up.&#8221;
Medical bills, vet visits, car repairs, and home maintenance were frequently mentioned. &#8220;No amount of budgeting works when the average pay in the USA isn't enough to pay for rent if you're single,&#8221; another said.
Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>.&nbsp;
Several people criticized the U.S. credit system, which can <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/05/45602529/after-a-4-year-pause-student-loans-are-destroying-credit-scores-one-borrower-says-it-cost-her-137-points-in-weeks">penalize people</a> for paying off debt. &#8220;I paid off my mortgage, car, and my student loans were discharged&#8230; and my credit score never recovered,&#8221; one wrote. Others said they were forced into debt <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43085752/its-a-bankers-scam-dave-ramsey-blasts-the-fico-score-system-i-cant-rent-an-apartment-but-i-can-write-a-check-for-the-whole-complex">just to build credit</a> in the first place.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Spending Habits And Financial Literacy</h2>
There was also recognition that habits play a role. Some admitted to lifestyle creep or impulse spending. &#8220;If I have $100, why wouldn't I spend it on dinner or new whatever I need? I have it now, so I spend it now,&#8221; one person confessed. Another called it a mindset shaped by childhood poverty: &#8220;I learned that money doesn&#8217;t stick around. If you have $100 then you need to spend it on what it needs to go to or something else will &#8216;eat it.'&#8221;
Still, many said they weren't taught how to manage money in the first place. &#8220;We're basically thrown into adulthood without a map. So people just figure it out as they go—often by trial and error,&#8221; the original poster said. &#8220;And when that &#8216;error&#8217; is maxing out a credit card or missing rent, the consequences are heavy.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">No Easy Fix</h2>
There was little illusion that the situation would improve without major changes. &#8220;You have to be real and live within your means. If you are poor, live like you are poor until you work your way out,&#8221; one person wrote.&nbsp;
Others pushed back, saying the issue isn't discipline but systemic failure. As one commenter put it: &#8220;It&#8217;s too expensive to live, too expensive to have kids, and too expensive to die here in the U.S.&#8221;
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Image: Shutterstock

Personal Finance

What's Driving Americans To Live Paycheck To Paycheck? One Person Says It's Like Being 'Thrown Into Adulthood Without A Map'

Tesla CEO Elon Musk once took to social media to question the lack of a publicly released client list in the Jeffrey Epstein&#8211;Ghislaine Maxwell case.
What Happened: In mid-2022, Elon Musk took to Twitter, now known as X, to question the lack of transparency surrounding the Epstein-Maxwell case. 
He pointedly asked why the Justice Department hadn't disclosed the list of clients linked to the duo and why mainstream media showed little interest in pursuing those identities. 
Alongside his post, Musk shared a collage featuring mythical creatures like unicorns and dragons, with the phrase &#8220;Epstein/Maxwell client list&#8221; included — implying it was something as unlikely to be seen as the others.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Only thing more remarkable than DOJ not leaking the list is that no one in the media cares. Doesn't that seem odd? <a href="https://t.co/JEK4TErABB">pic.twitter.com/JEK4TErABB</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1533161114586042369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Maxwell, a once-prominent socialite, was handed a 20-year prison sentence in 2022 for her role in Epstein&#8217;s sex trafficking operation. She has since launched an appeal against her conviction and sentence, citing&nbsp;juror misconduct, a violation of&nbsp;the statute of limitations, and her treatment in prison as the grounds for her appeal.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44067638/elon-musk-claims-rival-billionaire-wants-to-destroy-trump-to-suppress-jeffrey-epstein-client-list">Elon Musk Claims Rival Billionaire Wants to &#8216;Destroy&#8217; Trump To Suppress Jeffrey Epstein Client List</a>
In response to Musk&#8217;s post on Twitter, a user posted a photograph of Maxwell and Musk together at a Vanity Fair Oscar party. Musk quickly responded, asserting that Maxwell had photobombed him.
In December 2021, Maxwell was found&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epsteins-former-girlfriend-found-guilty-in-sex-abuse-trial" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guilty</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/12/24823587/epstein-associate-ghislaine-maxwell-found-guilty-of-5-charges-in-sex-trafficking-case" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;of helping to recruit teenage girls</a>&nbsp;for&nbsp;Epstein, who&nbsp;died in August 2019.
Maxwell, who is also identified as &#8220;Inmate 02879-509,&#8221;&nbsp;is currently serving her sentence&nbsp;at the Federal Correctional Institution&nbsp;in Tallahassee, Florida.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Ah yes, Maxwell photobombing me at a <a href="https://twitter.com/VanityFair?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VanityFair</a> Oscars party – you should them why they invited her. The same people who push this photo say nothing about prominent people who actually went to his island a dozen times. Also very strange …
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1533163139470180353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Where is their "client" list? Shouldn't at least one of them go down!?
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1521186612457132034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Why It Matters: Musk&#8217;s call for transparency in the Epstein-Maxwell case comes amid a broader societal push for accountability in high-profile criminal cases. 
His comments have sparked a debate about the role of public figures in advocating for justice and transparency.
However, Musk&#8217;s interaction with the Twitter user who posted the photograph of him with Maxwell has also raised questions about his own connections to the case. 
While Musk has denied any involvement, the incident underscores the scrutiny public figures face in the age of social media.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/11/42152805/elon-musk-agrees-that-people-want-to-see-jeffrey-epstein-files" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Agrees That People Want To See Jeffrey Epstein Files</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Copyright Lawrey

TSLA

Elon Musk Once Asked Why Epstein-Maxwell Client List Hasn't Leaked — Here's How He Responded to X User Who Suggested He Was a Client

Victims of a substantial&nbsp;data breach are set to&nbsp;receive a portion of a $20 million settlement. Over five million affected users are in line to receive compensation for their losses.
What Happened: A court has granted preliminary approval for a multi-million dollar settlement to be distributed among victims of a data breach. The breach was linked to the file transfer platform of cybersecurity firm Fortra. 
The compromised data includes sensitive details such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and health insurance information.
According to a <a href="https://fortradatasettlement.com/">report</a>, the lawsuit was lodged against Fortra and several other companies, including rail service provider Brightline and&nbsp;healthcare firms Aetna, Community Health,&nbsp;Elevance Health, Imagine360, Intellihartx, NationsBenefits,&nbsp;and Santa Clara Family Health&nbsp;Plan.
Victims who can present &#8220;reasonable documentation for losses&#8221; from the 2023 data breach will receive up to $5,000. Without such documentation, class members will receive approximately $85. Claims must be submitted by August 29.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42716153/massive-data-breach-exposes-millions-of-credit-and-debit-cards-is-your-account-safe">Massive Data Breach Exposes Millions of Credit and Debit Cards—Is Your Account Safe?</a>
Besides the cash payment, class&nbsp;members are also eligible to&nbsp;receive dark web monitoring services&nbsp;for one year to mitigate&nbsp;potential identity theft and fraud risks.&nbsp;
The payments will be made&nbsp;once the court gives the&nbsp;class action settlement final approval, with a final approval hearing scheduled for mid-September.
Why It Matters: This settlement marks a significant victory for victims of data breaches, as it sets a precedent for future cases. It underscores the importance of cybersecurity and the potential financial consequences for companies that fail to adequately protect user data. 
The inclusion of dark web monitoring services in the settlement also highlights the growing recognition of the long-term risks associated with data breaches, including identity theft and fraud. 
This case serves as a reminder to companies of their responsibility to safeguard user data and the potential legal and financial repercussions of failing to do so.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45336132/major-data-breach-exposes-social-security-numbers-financial-records-and-much-more">Major Data Breach Exposes Social Security Numbers, Financial Records and Much More</a>
Image: Shutterstock/Mdisk

Legal

Millions Impacted by Data Breach To Receive Cash, Free Monitoring in $20 Million Deal

During a recent meeting with President Donald Trump, Elon Musk was spotted with a black eye, which Musk said was the result of a playful incident with his son.
Musk&#8217;s visible bruise, noticed while he was standing next to Trump in the Oval Office on Friday.
According to a post on X, when asked about the injury, Musk explained,&nbsp;&#8220;I was just horsing around&nbsp;with Little X and I&nbsp;said, &#8216;Go ahead, punch me&nbsp;in the face.'&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Elon Musk just got asked why he has a black eye. <a href="https://t.co/8RScbhfdXv">pic.twitter.com/8RScbhfdXv</a>
&mdash; Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueATLGeorgia/status/1928521949719793897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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</figure>
Little X, officially named X Æ A-Xii, is Musk&#8217;s eldest child with singer Grimes.
The child has often been seen with Musk during his tenure in office. Musk also humorously referred to a recent viral video involving France&#8217;s First Lady Brigitte Macron and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40001741/grimes-mother-accuses-musk-of-withholding-children-amid-custody-battle-please-elon-i-beg-you" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grimes&#8217; Mother Accuses Musk Of Withholding Children Amid Custody Battle: ‘Please Elon, I Beg You&#8217;</a>
In the meeting, President Trump lauded Musk&#8217;s contributions to&nbsp;the Department of Government Efficiency.&nbsp;Musk, who has been serving&nbsp;as a special government employee,&nbsp;was presented with&nbsp;a large key inside a&nbsp;wooden box as a token of appreciation. 
Friday marked Musk&#8217;s last official day in this role, after which he plans to refocus on Tesla.
Musk&#8217;s tenure as a special government employee has been marked by significant contributions to&nbsp;the Department of Government Efficiency.&nbsp;
His playful interaction with his son, leading to the black eye, showcases his personal side amidst his professional commitments. 
His departure from the government role indicates his intent to refocus on Tesla&#8217;s operations, which could signal upcoming developments for the electric vehicle giant.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock/cristiano barni

Social Media

Elon Musk Sports Black Eye in Oval Office: 'I Was Just Horsing Around With Little X and I Said, Go Ahead, Punch Me in the Face'

Gary Black, Future Fund LLC&#8217;s managing director and a prominent market analyst, has expressed concerns about Tesla Inc.&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) high forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, questioning the sustainability of its current valuation.
What Happened: In a detailed thread on X on Saturday, Black pointed out that Tesla&#8217;s forward P/E ratio stands at a staggering 180x. He noted that no trillion-dollar market cap company in stock market history has traded at such a high forward P/E ratio. 
Black argued that the long-term growth rate required to justify such a P/E would make Tesla&#8217;s market cap larger than Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), which he deemed &#8220;insane.&#8221;
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TSLA&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TSLA</a> now trades at a forward P/E of 180x. In the history of the stock market, we can't find a single $1T market cap company that traded at a forward P/E of 180x (we even asked Grok with no success). Why not? The long-term growth rate needed to justify a 180x P/E would cause…
&mdash; Gary Black (@garyblack00) <a href="https://twitter.com/garyblack00/status/1928866265117941880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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&#8220;The long-term growth rate needed to justify a 180x P/E would cause TSLA market cap to be bigger than $AAPL and $MSFT, which seems insane since both have huge TAMs, unassailable brands, and highly predictable future cash flow streams,&#8221; he said in the post. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/05/45687704/gary-black-says-teslas-robotaxi-launch-in-june-poses-minimal-risk-to-uber-will-offer-low-cost">Gary Black Says Tesla&#8217;s Robotaxi Launch In June Poses Minimal Risk To Uber: &#8216;Will Offer Low-Cost…&#8217;</a>
Black criticized Tesla bulls who dismiss his argument by claiming that&nbsp;the 2025 P/E is irrelevant.&nbsp;He emphasized that a stock&#8217;s&nbsp;valuation is the present value&nbsp;of all future cash flows,&nbsp;discounted back at a risk-adjusted&nbsp;cost of capital, plus net&nbsp;cash. To disregard P/E, according to Black, is equivalent to ignoring valuation&nbsp;when making an investment decision.
&#8220;TSLA bulls who pretend they understand finance dismiss my argument that TSLA's valuation looks stretched by saying the 2025 P/E is irrelevant. Rule #1 in investing is buy low, sell high. Rule #2 is price is what you pay, value is what you get. Arguing that P/E doesn't matter to an investment decision tells me the person doing the arguing has no valuation discipline and is just buying concepts, rather than on some assessment of value vs price,&#8221; Black continued. 
Why It Matters: Black&#8217;s comments come at a time when Tesla&#8217;s stock has been under scrutiny due to its high valuation. Despite the company&#8217;s impressive growth, some investors and analysts have raised concerns about whether its current stock price accurately reflects its future earnings potential. 
Black&#8217;s argument adds to this ongoing debate, highlighting the importance of traditional valuation metrics like P/E in assessing a company&#8217;s worth.
While Black clarified that he doesn&#8217;t foresee a situation where he would short Tesla, his comments underscore the need for investors to exercise caution and conduct thorough valuation assessments before making investment decisions.
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Image: Shutterstock/bluestork

Markets

MSFT

Gary Black Questions Tesla's Sky-High Forward P/E Ratio: 'Long-Term Growth Rate Needed To Justify a 180X P/E Would Cause Tsla Market Cap To Be Bigger'

Former NBA superstar Shaquille O&#8217;Neal has sold one of his Tesla Cybertrucks to fellow basketball player Trendon Watford, marking a shift in his vehicle preferences.
Shaq, renowned for his extensive car collection, chose to part ways with one of his three Tesla Cybertrucks. The vehicle, which had been customized and wrapped in a glossy maroon finish, was sold to Brooklyn Nets&#8217; Trendon Watford.
Despite previously expressing his admiration for the Cybertruck, Shaq recently voiced dissatisfaction with the vehicle&#8217;s range of 301 miles. 
As a result, he has transitioned to the Cadillac Escalade IQ, which features&nbsp;a 200KWH battery pack and&nbsp;a superior range of 460 miles.
The transaction was managed by Effortless Motors, who had listed the car for sale approximately a month ago. It is yet to be determined whether Shaq will sell his remaining Cybertrucks, following his recent change in sentiment towards the&nbsp;Tesla Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) vehicle.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/03/44209990/nba-legend-shaqs-walmart-shopping-spree-ends-in-credit-card-decline-heres-how-much-he-tried-to-spend" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA Legend Shaq&#8217;s Walmart Shopping Spree Ends In Credit Card Decline—Here&#8217;s How Much He Tried To Spend</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/sports/25/05/45483236/shaq-rolls-up-in-a-cybertruck-elon-musk-has-this-one-word-response">Last year Tesla owner Elon Musk responded</a> to a post showcasing Shaq's Cybertruck with a simple "Nice", acknowledging the widebody modification and red under glow that make it one of the most eye-catching vehicles on the road.
Shaq&#8217;s decision to sell his Cybertruck may reflect a broader trend among consumers who are seeking electric vehicles with longer ranges. 
The Cadillac Escalade IQ&#8217;s superior range could potentially make it a more attractive option for consumers who frequently travel long distances. 
This shift in preference could impact Tesla&#8217;s market share in the electric vehicle industry, particularly if other high-profile individuals follow Shaq&#8217;s lead.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock/Jonathan Weiss

Here's Why Shaquille O'Neal Gave Up Elon Musk's Cybertruck And Passed It To Another NBA Star

Billionaire investor and entrepreneur, Mark Cuban, has recommended teenagers explore artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential side hustle that could prove to be highly profitable.
What Happened: Cuban stated&nbsp;that if he were a&nbsp;teenager today, he would consider starting an AI side hustle. 
During a CNBC interview, he <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/22/mark-cuban-if-i-was-a-teenager-again-id-start-this-ai-side-hustle.html">proposed </a>a three-step strategy: mastering AI language model prompts, teaching peers how to use&nbsp;these prompts for school assignments,&nbsp;and then offering&nbsp;these services to small and&nbsp;medium-sized businesses that have not yet embraced AI.
&#8220;Then, I would go to&nbsp;businesses, particularly small- to medium-sized&nbsp;businesses that don&#8217;t understand AI&nbsp;yet. Doesn&#8217;t matter if I&#8217;m&nbsp;16, I&#8217;d be teaching them&nbsp;as well,&#8221; Cuban said. 
As per a <a href="https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/young-side-hustles-survey/">report </a>by LendingTree, over half of the Gen Z population&nbsp;in the U.S. are currently&nbsp;engaged in side hustles. AI&nbsp;prompt engineering, a field that involves crafting queries for chatbots to generate specific responses, could be a lucrative opportunity. 
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41196856/heres-how-mark-cubans-drunken-splurge-of-125-000-turned-into-a-profitable-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Drunkenly Bought A $125,000 Lifetime Flight Pass And Turned It Into A Profitable Investment</a>
ZipRecruiter <a href="https://www.ziprecruiter.com/t/Most-Popular-Types-Of-Ai-Prompt-Writing-Jobs">reports </a>that the average salary&nbsp;for AI tutors begins at&nbsp;around $30,000 per year,&nbsp;while full-time AI prompt engineers&nbsp;can earn up to $129,500.
While&nbsp;a college degree is not&nbsp;a prerequisite to become an&nbsp;AI prompt engineer, practice and&nbsp;often certifications are essential to&nbsp;comprehend how large language models&nbsp;function. Online certification programs from&nbsp;institutions like Vanderbilt University or&nbsp;IBM can assist&nbsp;in mastering the basics within&nbsp;a month.
Why It Matters: The advice from Cuban comes at a time when AI is increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives. From voice assistants to recommendation algorithms, AI is ubiquitous. 
With the growing demand for AI skills in the job market, Cuban&#8217;s advice could potentially guide teenagers towards a profitable and future-proof career. 
Furthermore, his strategy not only promotes self-learning and entrepreneurship among teenagers but also encourages them to help local businesses adopt AI, thereby fostering a community that is ready for the future.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock

Success Stories

Mark Cuban Reveals the Side Hustle He'd Start at 16 — And It Doesn't Require a Degree

Elon Musk is alleged to have fathered a child with a Japanese pop star. The news, which surfaced on Friday, also includes Musk&#8217;s offer to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/25/02/43756965/conservative-influencer-says-musk-is-father-of-her-newborn-child">donate his sperm to &#8220;anyone.&#8221;</a>
Ashley St. Clair, who alleges to have a son with Musk, disclosed these details in a New York Times article on Friday.
Musk is claimed to have told her that he has fathered children worldwide, including&nbsp;with a Japanese pop star, and is willing to donate&nbsp;his sperm to anyone who&nbsp;wishes to have a child.
St. Clair also claimed that&nbsp;Musk was deeply worried about the declining birth rate and advocated for people to have more children. She further alleged that Musk insisted on keeping their relationship and his paternity a secret, even during her childbirth.
"He made it seem like it was just his altruism and he generally believed these people should just have children," St. Clair told the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/us/elon-musk-drugs-children-trump.html">outlet</a>.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40001741/grimes-mother-accuses-musk-of-withholding-children-amid-custody-battle-please-elon-i-beg-you" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grimes&#8217; Mother Accuses Musk Of Withholding Children Amid Custody Battle: ‘Please Elon, I Beg You&#8217;</a>
According to St. Clair, Musk offered her $15 million and an additional $100,000 monthly&nbsp;until their son turned 21&nbsp;to maintain her silence. 
However, she declined the offer and made the news public in February. She has also filed a lawsuit against Musk&nbsp;for child support and sole&nbsp;custody.
This revelation could potentially impact Musk&#8217;s public image and his role as the CEO of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX. The allegations, if proven true, may raise ethical questions about Musk&#8217;s conduct and his views on parenthood. 
The lawsuit filed by St. Clair could also lead to legal complications for the billionaire entrepreneur. The situation warrants close monitoring as it unfolds.
Read Next
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Image: Shutterstock/Frederic Legrand &#8211; COMEO

Ex Says Musk Told Her He Fathered Child With Japanese Pop Star, Said He Would Give Sperm To Anyone Who Wanted It

President Donald Trump said that he has no knowledge of Elon Musk engaging in drug use during the 2024 election cycle, brushing off a media report alleging Musk&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/cannabis/25/05/45700477/elon-musk-was-using-drugs-while-on-campaign-trail-with-trump-including-ecstasy-and-psychedelic-mushrooms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drug consumption while on the campaign trail</a>.
According to a recent piece by The New York Times, the billionaire entrepreneur <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/us/elon-musk-drugs-children-trump.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reportedly</a> consumed drugs such as ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms during the campaign season, possibly while working with Trump.
The publication also noted uncertainty around whether these substances were used while Musk was involved with the Department of Government Efficiency.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/05/38907748/days-after-facing-lawsuit-for-drug-use-musk-says-he-would-take-cocaine-if-it-boosted-long-term-produ" rel="noreferrer noopener">Days After Facing Lawsuit For Drug Use, Musk Says He Would Take Cocaine If It Boosted &#8216;Long-Term Productivity&#8217;</a>
Trump, speaking to journalists on May 30 after an event in Pennsylvania, dismissed the allegations, praising Musk and stating, &#8220;I&#8217;m not troubled by anything with Elon,&#8221; USA Today <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/30/donald-trump-not-aware-of-elon-musks-reported-campaign-drug-use/83956424007/" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>.
Musk, who heads Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) and SpaceX, and also owns social media platform X, was present at an Oval Office event the same day.
When pressed by a reporter about the drug claims, he deflected the question and criticized the Times&#8217; previous reporting, particularly its coverage of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, the report adds.
In a social media post in X on May 31, Musk mocked the alleged claims made about his drug use.
&#8220;I&#8217;m in meetings with dozens to hundreds of people every day and am photographed constantly. If this bs from NYT were true, it would have been EXTREMELY obvious,&#8221; Musk wrote.
The tech mogul acknowledged in March 2024 that he takes prescription ketamine for depression.
His past conduct also includes a much-publicized incident in 2018 where he smoked marijuana during a podcast interview, which raised concerns among board members and shareholders.
The White House has not issued any formal statement on the matter. No additional evidence has been presented to substantiate the claims of drug use during government work.
Musk continues to be a polarizing figure, not only because of his business ventures but also due to his political engagements and public statements. His increasing visibility in Washington has only intensified scrutiny around his personal habits.
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</ul>
Image: Shutterstock/Joshua Sukoff

Trump Says He's 'Not Troubled' By Musk's Alleged Drug Use During Campaign: Report

What do you get when you mix $1,000, an unemployed golf buddy, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/04/45110288/99-year-old-billionaire-charlie-munger-said-iron-rule-of-life-is-everybody-struggles-but-you-have-to-soldier-through-its-your-only-option">and Charlie Munger's brain</a>? Apparently, a passive income stream that lasted decades. No hedge fund, no Wall Street pitch deck — just Munger, long before his Berkshire Hathaway days, spotting a scrappy oil royalty deal and turning it into one of the most quietly outrageous investments of his life.
And the best part? He didn't go it alone — he brought his unemployed friend along for the million-dollar ride.
Back in 1962, Munger was still practicing law in Los Angeles when he met Al Marshall, an out-of-work oil industry worker trying to buy mineral rights at auction.&nbsp;
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Munger, seeing the flaws in Marshall's strategy but liking the bones of the deal, decided to go in with him. Each put up $1,000 and bought into oil royalties through what was then a legal tax shelter known as an AB trust, which was later outlawed.
And the returns? Straight-up legendary.
"Fifty years later we were getting $100,000 a year on that investment," Munger told the crowd at the 2016 Daily Journal shareholder meeting. "The trouble with that story is that it only happened once."
He delivered it with a chuckle, but the message was clear: not every great investment is repeatable — which is exactly why you act when you spot one.
Munger touched on the story again during his final Daily Journal meeting in 2023, a full-circle moment near the end of his career, where he once more emphasized the rarity of those life-changing opportunities.
Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/wideradvisor-retirement-planning">Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation</a>.&nbsp;
The story is backed by Janet Lowe's 2000 biography "Damn Right!," where Marshall said, "We only put up $1,000 each, and we've each probably made a half a million out of it." He added, "I'm still getting $2,000 to $3,000 a month from that," confirming the checks were still rolling in decades later.&nbsp;
That's right — from a $1,000 investment, Munger's family was still cashing royalty checks well into the 21st century. All from a single, overlooked opportunity.
Of course, Munger never sugarcoated it. "The trick in life," he told that 2016 crowd, "is when you get the one, or two, or three [big opportunities] that your fair allotment for a life is — that you've got to do something about it."
And if you're still grinding toward that first big win? He had advice for that, too: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/02/43759618/charlie-munger-said-the-hardest-part-of-getting-rich-is-the-first-100000-but-from-there-it-snowballs-and-you-can-ease-off-the-gas">"The first $100,000 is a b&#x2A;tch, but you gotta do it."</a>
Hard work. A sharp eye. A little luck. And when the rare opportunity does show up? Move fast — because even for Charlie Munger, it only happened once.
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Image: Shutterstock

Charlie Munger Turned $1,000 Into Over $1 Million — And Made His Unemployed Friend Rich Too: 'Trouble With That Story Is It Only Happened Once'

A cold email to billionaire Mark Cuban by Aaron Levie, co-founder cloud storage and file-sharing business Box, was the catalyst for the company&#8217;s current valuation of $4.6 billion.
What Happened:&nbsp;Back in 2005, Levie, then a University of Southern California student, was on the hunt for funding for his startup. He took the initiative to send cold emails to potential investors, including Cuban.
Within a few hours, Cuban replied, suggesting a partnership on a data-hosting project. This idea later evolved, and Cuban invested $350,000 in Box without ever meeting the co-founders face-to-face. 
This investment marked a significant milestone for Box, encouraging Levie to leave college and dedicate his full attention to the company.
Levie&#8217;s pitch to Cuban was straightforward: with the cost of online data storage dropping and internet speeds increasing, there was a golden&nbsp;opportunity for a company to&nbsp;simplify secure online data storage. Despite receiving hundreds of email pitches daily, Cuban was swayed by this proposition.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/03/44348044/mark-cuban-reveals-what-hed-do-as-a-gen-zer-to-get-ahead-even-while-sleeping-if-i-was-16-18-20-21-starting-today-i-would-spend-every-waking-minute-learning-it">Mark Cuban Reveals What He&#8217;d Do As A Gen Zer to Get Ahead—Even While Sleeping: &#8216;If I Was 16, 18, 20, 21 Starting Today, I Would Spend Every Waking Minute Learning It&#8217;</a>
"That was wild, because it happened so fast," Levie <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/19/box-co-founder-cold-email-to-mark-cuban-landed-startup-investment.html">told </a>CNBC. &#8220;Cuban's funding represented Box's breakthrough investment," he added. 
However, Cuban had a change of heart about a year after his investment due to disagreements over Box&#8217;s business model. In 2006, Box secured additional funding, and Levie used a portion of this capital to repurchase Cuban&#8217;s stake.
Despite the fallout, Cuban&#8217;s initial investment was instrumental in Box&#8217;s early growth. The company has been profitable since 2023, with a reported&nbsp;net income of $129 million&nbsp;in 2024.
Why It Matters:: Mark Cuban&#8217;s initial investment in Box underscores the power of cold emailing and the potential it holds for startups seeking funding. 
Despite Cuban&#8217;s eventual exit, his early confidence in the company provided the necessary boost for Box&#8217;s growth. 
This story serves as a reminder of the importance of persistence, a clear vision, and the courage to seize opportunities in the entrepreneurial world.
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Image: Shutterstock/T. Schneider

This 20-Year-Old Emailed Mark Cuban, Got $350K — Now His Company Is Worth $4.6 Billion

Jeff Bezos is one of the richest people in the world thanks to his stake in Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), a company he founded and transformed from an<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/21/04/20675447/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-jeff-bezos"> online book seller</a> into one of the largest retailers in the world.
Tips on how to conduct meetings for increased productivity could be one way that Bezos and Amazon have been successful over the years.
What Happened: Amazon&#8217;s success and increased valuation may be attributed to Bezos&#8217;s leadership. He led the company for 27 years before stepping down as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/education/22/11/29691021/walking-away-on-top-if-you-invested-1-000-in-amazon-when-bezos-stepped-down-heres-how-much-youd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CEO in July 2021.</a>
Bezos&#8217; leadership and business practices may be among the reasons Amazon survived the dot-com bubble and later diversified into other new sectors, such as streaming and the cloud.
A company such as Amazon likely holds many meetings with executives, employees, and potential partners. One practice Bezos did during meetings with employees was to speak last, something his current fiancée Lauren Sánchez  said was one of the best business lessons she&#8217;s learned from him.
&#8220;I hold a lot of meetings, and I would talk first in a meeting, and (Bezos) goes, ‘No, no, no. You&#8217;re the boss. You talk last. You let everyone else talk, so that they don&#8217;t get swayed by your opinion,'&#8221; Sánchez&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/lauren-sanchez-interview-jeff-bezos-11674587199" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said&nbsp;</a>in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Sánchez said living with Bezos has been like &#8220;having a master class every day.&#8221;
&#8220;What he&#8217;s taught me a lot about is management.&#8221;
You may not be a billionaire like Jeff Bezos, but you can uncover hidden gems in the stock market using our proprietary data and pattern recognition — <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45600269/benzingas-stock-whisper-index-5-stocks-investors-secretly-monitor-but-dont-talk-about-yet-66">check out five stocks flying under the radar that deserve your attention.</a>
Why It&#8217;s Important: Bezos previously shared that changing meeting practices helped Amazon succeed and could have been &#8220;the smartest thing we ever did&#8221; at the company.
Bezos shared in 2018 that Amazon discontinued PowerPoint presentations and instead opened meetings with a 30-minute silent reading period. This gave employees time to read through a detailed memo covering the discussion topics prior to the start of the meeting.
Similar to Bezos's speech last time, these meetings would see employees share reactions to the memo before the CEO shares his thoughts.
Bezos said the silent reading helped create &#8220;the context for what will then be a good discussion.&#8221;
The former Amazon CEO said the silent reading period ensured attendees read through the notes rather than ignoring emails.
&#8220;Executives will bluff their way through the meeting as if they&#8217;ve read the memo, because we&#8217;re busy, and so you&#8217;ve got to actually carve out the time for the memo to get read.&#8221;
Bezos also recommended&nbsp;keeping meetings as short as possible once the silent reading period is done. Sanchez said Bezos told her the key was to keep meetings under an hour if possible.
CNBC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/14/jeff-bezos-this-is-the-smartest-thing-we-ever-did-at-amazon.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported&nbsp;</a>that other business leaders such as&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;co-founder and former CEO&nbsp;Jack Dorsey&nbsp;also shared a similar belief in starting meetings with a silent reading period to go over the meeting agenda.
&#8220;This practice makes time for everyone to get on the same page, allows us to work from many locations, and gets to truth/critical thinking faster,&#8221; Dorsey&nbsp;said.
The business advice from Bezos could be worth it for&nbsp;bosses and companies to consider with Amazon shares up 945% in the past 10&nbsp;years and the company now one of the largest in the world.&nbsp;
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This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.
Photo: Lev Radin / Shutterstock.com

Education

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Jeff Bezos Advice On Getting True Opinions From Employees: 'Time For Everyone To Get On The Same Page'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning over the weekend, labeling China&#8217;s potential military move against Taiwan as an &#8220;imminent&#8221; threat and encouraging Indo-Pacific nations to bolster their defenses in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/25/05/45709673/us-should-stockpile-bullets-not-bitcoin-jamie-dimon-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">close coordination with the United States</a>.
Delivering his remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth claimed that Beijing is accelerating military preparations aimed at altering Asia&#8217;s power dynamics through force, especially toward Taiwan, which China claims but does not govern, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c071xm4x7g7o" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a> BBC.
Hegseth warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping has allegedly set 2027 as the year by which China&#8217;s military should be capable of taking Taiwan. Although this timeline is cited by U.S. officials, Beijing has not confirmed it, BBC adds.
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He said China is &#8220;training for it, every day&#8221; and added, &#8221;&nbsp;The threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent. We hope not but certainly could be,&#8221; BBC quoted Hegseth.
China responded sharply, calling the U.S. the region&#8217;s &#8220;biggest troublemaker.&#8221;
In a Facebook post, its embassy in Singapore accused Hegseth of stoking confrontation and distorting China&#8217;s intentions, citing America&#8217;s military activity in the South China Sea as destabilizing, the report adds.
Hegseth pressed Asian partners to significantly increase military investment, referencing Europe&#8217;s rising defense budgets in response to Russian aggression. &#8220;Europe is stepping up,&#8221; he said.
He criticized allies for relying too heavily on U.S. protection and urged them to become &#8220;partners, not dependents.&#8221;
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), also in attendance, criticized Hegseth&#8217;s speech as patronizing and said it strayed from core American values like human rights and international law.
She said, &#8220;We need to stand with our allies, work together, and send the message that America is not asking people to choose between the PRC (People&#8217;s Republic of China) and us,&#8221; BBC quoted Duckworth.
While China scaled back its involvement in the summit—sending a low-level delegation and canceling a key speech—U.S. officials said many Asian governments welcomed the firm stance on Beijing.
Still, analysts cautioned that while America&#8217;s message may resonate, regional compliance remains uncertain.
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Image: Shutterstock/Joshua Sukoff

Hegseth Urges Asia To Arm Up as China Eyes Taiwan

Joe Rogan and British comedian Jimmy Carr held nothing back in their latest conversation on &#8220;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r63cwSWbFME">The Joe Rogan Experience</a>,&#8221; tackling outrage culture, taxes, and what they see as government mismanagement.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Victimhood Over Talent?</h2>
Rogan and Carr criticized the modern trend of gaining attention through outrage or victimhood instead of talent or effort.
&#8220;This is a society that rewards outrage and that coddles people for the most preposterous beliefs,&#8221; Rogan said. &#8220;It's a weird society of social media and the amount of attention you can generate.&#8221;
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Carr referenced a bit from comedian Chris Rock, saying there are three ways to get attention: You could be brilliant, infamous, or a victim.&nbsp;
Carr argued that the difference between ambition and entitlement comes down to responsibility. &#8220;If you want to do something about it, that's ambition. If you think that's someone else's problem, that's entitlement,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;
He said he has empathy for people dealt a tough hand but believes in empowering them to play those cards as best they can.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Taxes And The System</h2>
One of the most passionate parts of the episode came when Rogan slammed the idea of simply <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40408996/jamie-dimon-supports-warren-buffett-rule-of-taxing-the-rich-he-says-it-will-fix-americas-debt-proble">taxing the rich to fix America's problems</a>.
&#8220;What are you going to do? You're going to enrich [the government],&#8221; Rogan said. &#8220;They're just going to get bigger and stronger and have even more power&#8230; It's not going to help you if they tax rich people.&#8221;
&#8220;Are the poor people going to get that money? No. Are their services going to improve? No, you&#8217;re just going to get more government,&#8221; he continued.
Then Rogan hit on what he sees as the real issue: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/05/45597839/elon-musk-wants-the-us-government-to-hang-up-the-phone-government-is-wasting-about-100-million-per-y">government waste and mismanagement</a>. &#8220;Figure out what to do with the money they already get from everybody,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And you&#8217;re not doing a good job with it. That&#8217;s the problem, the problem isn&#8217;t that the rich people aren&#8217;t paying their taxes.&#8221;
Carr, who faced his own tax scandal in 2012, joked that you know you&#8217;re in real trouble when &#8220;the prime minister of the country that you live in breaks off from the G20 summit to come out and do a press conference where he talks about nothing other than your personal tax affairs.&#8221;
&#8220;It was tax avoidance, not tax evasion,&#8221; Carr clarified. &#8220;There's a difference, and the difference is about 18 months in prison.&#8221;
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other Countries, Smaller Systems</h2>
Carr pointed to Scandinavian countries like Norway and Denmark as examples where high taxes actually deliver real public services, without much public resentment. Rogan responded that these are smaller, more manageable societies.
&#8220;When you scale that to like hundreds of millions of people, things get really weird,&#8221; Rogan said.
Carr also praised the European country of Estonia for offering a free, English-language medical school to attract foreign students. The idea behind it, as he says, is that some will stay, work, and contribute to the local economy.
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