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ELON Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X.

The US president was quick to hit back at the Tesla boss with several bitter barbs of his own as their feud suddenly reignited in front of the world.

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The internet had been eagerly watching the nuclear dispute as it unfolded after hours of outlandish Jefferey Epstein claims and brutal impeachment barbs by Musk.

Trump hit back on Truth Social saying Elon was “wearing thin” around the White House.

He later warned the US government could end all federal contracts with Musk’s companies if the insults continued to fly.

Here are social media’s best reactions to the intense clash between the two mega powers.

Mean girl Trump

Famous 2004 film Mean Girls has managed to create a long lasting legacy online with the Trump/Musk feud now even being linked to the movie.

The picture shared online is taken from the perspective of Musk who is looking at the iconic “Burn Book” from the film.

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Trump’s face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl’s villain Regina George.

The text above the image is the exact same as in the movie which says: “This girl is the nastiest skank b***h I’ve ever met. Do NOT TRUST HER. She is a fugly s***!”

Trump’s Stalinist purge

One of the quickest memes to emerge from the explosive fallout was an expertly AI generated image of a steely-faced Trump dressed as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin.

A smiley Musk was stood next to him.

But a second image posted alongside it showed Musk suddenly disappearing from the picture.

The two-part joke was hinting at a possible “Great Purge” being ordered by Trump similar to what Stalin ordered in the mid 1930s.

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The purge – also known as the Great Terror – is a damning historical period which saw Stalin axe dozens of his political allies in the Soviet Union.

Any threat to Stalin’s regime was made to go through sham trials which resulted in them being removed from any form of power.

The government claimed they were getting rid of suspected party dissenters.

The meme was posted shortly after Trump announced on Truth Social that he in fact asked Musk to leave his role within the US government.

The president said the SpaceX chief was “wearing thin” and “went crazy” during his final weeks close to the White House.

Musk’s Russian-style coup

Musk is a famously persuasive man with him even claiming on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump.

This created a whole load of hilarious comments and tweets on X as some jokingly ordered Musk to launch a coup on Washington.

One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera.

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The pose had a striking similarity to the iconic Uncle Sam poster from the early 19th century.

It was followed by the caption: “Reports that Muskovite forces led by Elon Musk are preparing to march on Washington.”

The term Muskovite has been used before by Russian state television.

In October 2023, they hailed the world’s richest man after he posted a meme of himself ridiculing Ukraine for asking for US aid during the war.

In response, Kremlin TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva described the tech mogul as “Elon the Muscovite” on Russia-1.

Billionaire for billionaire

As Trump and Musk’s relationship capitulated before the internet’s eyes, many users jumped at the chance to speculate on a potential replacement to join Trump’s inner circle.

The leading candidate was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The Zuck and Elon already share a number of similarities.

They both sit at the very top of the official world’s rich list with Musk at number one and Zuckerberg sat just behind in second.

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And both men own major social media platforms.

Musk famously acquired Twitter and transformed it into X whereas Zuckerberg created Facebook, now Meta, in 2004.

Trump already has a growing relationship with Zuckerberg after Meta donated $1m (£786,000) to an inauguration fund for the president.

The pair also shared dinner together at Mar-a-Lago in November.

But much like with Musk, the two have shared a turbulent past.

In 2017, Trump hit out at Facebook for being “anti-Trump” after the platform banned his account following the Capitol riots on January, 6, 2021.

Cybertruck conundrum

Two of the most liked memes circulating around the internet on Thursday featured Tesla Cybertrucks.

The powerful beasts are the brainchild of Musk and his remarkable staff at Tesla factories across the US.

But for one unlucky motorist his Cybertruck may be forced to stay in the garage forever after the public spat.

An image shows a parked up Tesla with the American flag emblazoned on the side in truly patriotic fashion.

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But superimposed over the top is the image of a defiant Trump just seconds after he was shot in the ear at a rally in Pennsylvania last year.

The legendary photo shows the bleeding Republican with his fist raised high in the air as secret service agents crowd around him.

The moment is notable in regards to the Trump/Musk feud as the assassination attempt is believed to be one of the main reasons why Musk joined team Trump.

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It has even been revealed that Trump is yet to remove the Cybertruck he was gifted by Musk from the White House parking garage.

The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas.

The image is taken from the tragic New Year’s Day incident when former soldier Matthew Livelsberger shot himself in the head just seconds before blowing up the Tesla.

The X user suggests the flaming Cybertruck is comparable to how Musk has ignited a fiery feud with Trump.

A MAJOR probe is under way after dozens of fake training results were allegedly submitted to a Government body.

The investigation was launched in April after a complaint was made to Blanchardstown Garda station over the issuing of up to 70 ‘Private Security Authority’ licenses.

The licence is issued to people who are seeking employment once they have completed a registered training course.

But Gardai now suspect PSA licences were issued after fraudsters supplied bogus training certificates from registered companies.

It’s understood schemers were selling the dodgy certificates for €400. It’s also believed the scam started in 2023.

The PSA confirmed an investigation was underway.

A spokesperson for the PSA said: “In April, the Private Security Authority become aware of an issue involving the submission of forged training results forms by some applicants when applying to the PSA for a security guard licence.

“The PSA took immediate steps to ensure that a licence issues only when an applicant has successfully completed the requisite training.

“Applicants who have submitted forged training results will have their application refused.

“The PSA is checking older applications and revoking licences obtained using a forged training results form.

“Details of applications supported by forgeries are being passed to the Gardaí for investigation and possible prosecution. Given that ongoing investigation, the PSA has no further comment at this time.”

One security source said: “The criminals are offering fraudulent forms to individuals and telling them they don’t have to attend the PSA approved course.

‘ORGANISED SCAM’

“There are people out there who have received no training yet they have the PSA licenses.

“The individuals who have obtained these licenses through bogus training certificates have no training in fire safety protocols, no training for physical intervention and no training for false arrest avoidance.

“A number of companies have been affected by this scam and something needs to be done about it.

“This is clearly an organised scam.”

At present, 41,447 PSA licences have been issued in Ireland.

The most popular PSA licence is the ‘Guarding Licence’ which allows individuals to work in areas of security where alcohol is not sold.

Other stats show that 12,702 licences were issued to people allowing them to work in pubs and clubs.

Garrett White - The Sun Dublin

LIONS duo Josh van der Flier and Hugo Keenan are absent for Leinster for tomorrow’s URC semi-final with Glasgow. 

But boss Leo Cullen insisted that both are okay for the Lions, and could resume training next week IF Leinster can secure a final date at Croke Park. 

Van der Flier limped out of last week’s 33-21 victory over Scarlets with a hamstring issue while Keenan has a slight calf issue that flared up during the week. 

And that meant both miss out and join fellow Lions’ Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose (both calf) in the treatment room, though all four are expected to be fit soon. 

Cullen said: “Josh went off at the weekend so he’s not back for this weekend. It’s tight. It’s coming a little bit too soon. 

“It’s coming a little bit too soon for Garry obviously, Hugo has picked up a niggle as well, so he’s out.”

But Tommy O’Brien returns to the side after missing out last week through injury while flanker Scott Penney gets his shot in the back row in place of van der Flier. 

Leinster: J O’Brien, T O’Brien, J Osborne, J Barrett, J Lowe, S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheenan, T Clarkson, J McCarthy, J Ryan, R Baird, S Penny, J Conan.

Replacements: R Kelleher, J Boyle, R Slimani, RG Snyman, M Deegan, L McGrath, R Byrne, C Frawley.

BRIAN Dowling has admitted he’s had a “tough” time recently as he fought back the tears in his emotional farewell statement on 98FM.

After more than two years at the helm, Brian called it quits on his radio show.

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Brian had been co-hosting a weekday morning show from 10am to 1pm with Suzanne Kane since March 2023.

However, the pair haven’t hosted the show together in months with Leanne Hanafin replacing Suzanne.

It was the dad-of-two’s last time co-hosting his 98FM show today and emotions were at an all time high in the studio.

Brian got teary-eyed as he signed off saying: “I promised myself I wasn’t going to get upset. You’re tearing up, don’t tear up!

“I have had the best time here for nearly two and a half years. It’s been an absolute blast. It’s been an honour to sit in this chair for the length of time I have.

“I’m sure a lot of people thought, ‘Oh, Brian Dowling got a job – He’ll be in it six weeks and he’ll be gone’. I have given this show absolutely everything.

“I became a dad on this show. I’ve had television success on this show. I’ve had it all on this show.”

Brian has yet to disclose the reasons behind his decision to leave – as has his former co-host Suzanne.

The 46-year-old told listeners: “I can’t lie. It’s been tough recently, but I’ve tried to stay strong.

“I’ve stayed focused. I did my best. I’ve loved doing this. I’ve loved playing the music we’ve been playing.

“I’ve loved coming in every morning and chatting with Gavin and with Pat and with Nick and with Cathal and with Russell.”

Speaking to Leanne, who has filled in for Suzanne for the last four months, Brian said: “Thank you so much for sitting here since February beside me, holding my hand most days.

“This has been like my free therapy. Thank you.”

Leanne praised Brian saying: “It’s been a pleasure. We love you. You brought so much energy, such enthusiasm to what you do.

“I think you’ve proven so many people wrong as well. I think that that is the biggest, biggest thing. And you’re just, you’re a great person.

‘YOU’LL BE MISSED’

“We love spending time with you. All our listeners this morning have been sending in so many texts, so many WhatsApps saying the very same thing about how much you have kept them company over the last two years and how much you will be missed.”

Brian replied: “Listen, I’m lucky enough to meet our listeners on a daily basis. They are the salt of the earth, lovely people. I’ve had a laugh every single day.

“I’ve never taken the job for granted. I’ve appreciated every day. I’ve been sat in front of this mic and I’m being myself and I don’t regret any of it.

“I don’t believe you should have regrets in life.”

The Kildare native revealed that he “took a risk” taking on the job initially as he had never worked on radio prior.

LAST MOMENTS

He explained: “I probably didn’t give myself enough credit. I was like, ‘I’ve signed up for this now. It’s over two years, what are we going to do?’

“But also to anyone, I joined the show when I was like 44 or 45-years-old, – never be afraid to take a risk. Never be afraid to say yes.

“I said yes to something that I couldn’t do. But I was very much like, ‘I’m going to learn how to do it’.”

And while Brian “still hadn’t ever ran the desk”, he was given the privilege of pressing the button “for the last time” as the segment came to a close.

Brian chose Oops!… I Did It Again by Britney Spears to play him out.

He got choked up as he finished off his time on air saying: “You’ve been listening to Brian Dowling on 98FM. I’ll talk to you later.”

Instagram@bprdowling

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CHILDCARE fees for around 190,000 parents across Ireland will be capped at just under €200 each week, it has been confirmed.

Minister for Children Norma Foley said parents paying the highest fees could save a whopping €1,500 each year under the new plan.

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Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire

And the Fianna Fail TD said the move marks “important steps” towards the commitment to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child over the course of this Government’s five-year term.

A new maximum fee cap will now be introduced for all new services availing of State funding through the Core Funding scheme from this September.

This will lower the maximum fees that can be charged depending on the number of hours provided.

Under these new maximum fee caps, the highest possible fees will be no more than €295 per week for a full day place of between 40-50 hours per week.

This will bring these fees closer to the average weekly fee of €197 for full day care.

These fees for parents are then reduced by State subsidies under the National Childcare Scheme and the free, universal two-year Early Childhood Care and Education preschool programme.

A parent being charged the maximum permissible fee of €295 per week for a full day place would be entitled to receive the universal National Childcare Scheme subsidy of €96.30.

This means a parents co-payment would be no more than €198.70 each week.

However, it has been confirmed that “higher subsidies are available for many parents”, depending on their level of income and the age and number of children in their family.

Confirming the new caps, Minister Foley said: “Since 2020, the amount of State funding in this area has increased from around €600 million to €1.37 billion this year.

“That has led to a 50 per cent reduction in the cost faced by parents on average and a record number of children – approximately 190,000 have benefitted from the National Childcare Scheme this year.

“So there has been progress. But I know that the cost of early learning and childcare is still far too high for many parents.”

FEE FREEZE

In addition to the new fee cap, funds available through Core Funding will ensure the existing fee freeze, introduced in 2022, will remain in place for participating services.

Minister Foley said: “The extension of maximum fee caps to all services participating in Core Funding will reduce costs for families facing the highest fees in the country.

“It will address some of the extreme fee disparities across the sector in a meaningful way, so that there are more consistent rates in place for families in their local areas.

“It is another step along the way to achieving the commitment in the Programme for Government to a maximum payment by parents of €200 per child per month for early learning and childcare during the lifetime of this government.

“Core Funding has enjoyed high participation rates to date, with 92 per cent of services taking part.”

The Fianna Fail TD also confirmed that a planned €60 million increase in State funding for this scheme over the next two years will bring the total amount of funding to a record €390 million.

She said: “I am confident that the increased funding available from September will allow for the continued partnership with early learning and childcare services.”

The additional €60 million includes €45 million specifically ring-fenced to support the outcomes of the committee made up of employer and employee representatives from the childcare sector.

Foley said: “We want the best of people caring for and educating children in the sector. To do that, and to keep them in the sector, they need to be paid fairly.

“This new €45 million in funding will be contingent on increased minimum pay rates for the sector being agreed by the Joint Labour Committee.

“Once new Employment Regulation Orders for the sector are agreed, this funding will specifically support employers to meet the costs of these increases to the minimum rates of pay in the sector.”

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