Cat Zakrzewski
@cqzakrz.bsky.social
Washington Post White House Reporter
NEW: As Trump processed his split with Elon Musk Thursday night, he called the world's richest man "a big-time drug addict."
The implosion of their alliance was months in the making. Here's how we got here: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
The implosion of their alliance was months in the making. Here's how we got here: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Inside the battles that shattered Trump and Musk’s alliance
Behind the scenes, what led up to the spectacular flame-out of the Trump-Musk relationship and public feud.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 7, 2025 at 1:33 PM
NEW: As Trump processed his split with Elon Musk Thursday night, he called the world's richest man "a big-time drug addict."
The implosion of their alliance was months in the making. Here's how we got here: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
The implosion of their alliance was months in the making. Here's how we got here: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
NEW: A top House Democrat launched an investigation into Trump's meme coin dinner, demanding the president turn over the guest list
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
House Democrat launches investigation of Trump’s meme coin dinner
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland demanded that President Trump turn over the names of the guests at the White House dinner for top investors in his meme coin.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
NEW: A top House Democrat launched an investigation into Trump's meme coin dinner, demanding the president turn over the guest list
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
The White House says Trump is attending the meme coin dinner in his personal capacity. He traveled to and from the event on Marine One, transportation funded by taxpayers.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump dines with top meme coin holders, shrugging off ethics concerns
White House officials have argued the dinner poses no conflict of interest because the president's assets are in a blind trust managed by his adult sons.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 23, 2025 at 3:08 AM
The White House says Trump is attending the meme coin dinner in his personal capacity. He traveled to and from the event on Marine One, transportation funded by taxpayers.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
NEW: The White House claims that Trump has secured trillions of dollars of deals during his swing through the Middle East. But at least half a dozen of those contracts were announced before he was president.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump is taking credit for Middle East deals that predate his presidency
Trump has been escalating pressure on leaders in the Middle East to up their investment in the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
NEW: The White House claims that Trump has secured trillions of dollars of deals during his swing through the Middle East. But at least half a dozen of those contracts were announced before he was president.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Cat Zakrzewski
New: One controversial option Trump's team has considered to avert TikTok's ban: Spinning the app into a new U.S. operation but leaving the algorithm under Chinese ownership wapo.st/44bUcv1 w/ @cqzakrz.bsky.social @naominix.bsky.social
Trump team has weighed deal to save TikTok, leaving algorithm in Chinese ownership
The White House has examined a menu of options to avert a TikTok ban deadline set for Saturday. One proposal — letting TikTok’s Chinese owner lease the algorithm to a TikTok spinoff in the U.S. — woul...
wapo.st
April 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
New: One controversial option Trump's team has considered to avert TikTok's ban: Spinning the app into a new U.S. operation but leaving the algorithm under Chinese ownership wapo.st/44bUcv1 w/ @cqzakrz.bsky.social @naominix.bsky.social
Jeff Bezos announced that the Washington Post opinion page will no longer publish viewpoints opposing personal liberties and free markets.
In light of this news, I want to emphasize that there is a strong firewall between opinion and news at our publication.
In light of this news, I want to emphasize that there is a strong firewall between opinion and news at our publication.
February 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Jeff Bezos announced that the Washington Post opinion page will no longer publish viewpoints opposing personal liberties and free markets.
In light of this news, I want to emphasize that there is a strong firewall between opinion and news at our publication.
In light of this news, I want to emphasize that there is a strong firewall between opinion and news at our publication.
NEW: JD Vance will go to Europe next week for his first international trip as vice president. He'll attend the AI Action Summit in France and the Munich Security Conference.
February 3, 2025 at 11:46 PM
NEW: JD Vance will go to Europe next week for his first international trip as vice president. He'll attend the AI Action Summit in France and the Munich Security Conference.
NEW: President Trump signed an executive order to end "federal censorship" of social media. It could have a chilling effect on years of efforts to combat falsehoods online.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump signs order to end ‘federal censorship’ of social media
President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to stop “government censorship,” a sweeping action that could chill years of efforts to combat the proliferation of false information online.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 21, 2025 at 12:29 AM
NEW: President Trump signed an executive order to end "federal censorship" of social media. It could have a chilling effect on years of efforts to combat falsehoods online.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
NEW: Trump promised his inauguration address will have a “message of unity.” But he has a record of stepping on his own sunny promises of optimism with darkness and division.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump promises ‘unity’ in inaugural address. Can he deliver it?
Trump promises ‘unity’ in inaugural address. Can he deliver it? He has a record of stepping on his own sunny promises of optimism with darkness and division.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 20, 2025 at 1:26 PM
NEW: Trump promised his inauguration address will have a “message of unity.” But he has a record of stepping on his own sunny promises of optimism with darkness and division.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
NEW: Marc Andreessen is recruiting people for positions across the Trump administration, including posts at DOD and intell agencies.
It's a sign of the influence VCs are having on the transition, advancing a "Little Tech" agenda.
w/ Jacqueline Alemany
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
It's a sign of the influence VCs are having on the transition, advancing a "Little Tech" agenda.
w/ Jacqueline Alemany
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Elon Musk isn’t the only tech leader helping shape the Trump administration
After feeling shut out by Biden, Marc Andreessen has been quietly and successfully recruiting candidates for positions across the Trump’s Washington.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 13, 2025 at 6:06 PM
NEW: Marc Andreessen is recruiting people for positions across the Trump administration, including posts at DOD and intell agencies.
It's a sign of the influence VCs are having on the transition, advancing a "Little Tech" agenda.
w/ Jacqueline Alemany
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
It's a sign of the influence VCs are having on the transition, advancing a "Little Tech" agenda.
w/ Jacqueline Alemany
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Cat Zakrzewski
January 4, 2025 at 3:15 AM
In 2024, Elon Musk dominated US politics. This year, he’s going global with the same playbook.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Elon Musk goes global with his playbook for political influence
The X owner and tech billionaire has boosted far-right figures in Britain, Germany and Canada with a blizzard of social media posts in recent days.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
In 2024, Elon Musk dominated US politics. This year, he’s going global with the same playbook.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Have a very Trumpy Christmas with $38 advent calendars, $92 MAGA hat ornaments and $28 golden Trump wrapping paper.
This holiday season, Trump is personally profiting off of his upcoming term in a manner that is unprecedented in modern history.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
This holiday season, Trump is personally profiting off of his upcoming term in a manner that is unprecedented in modern history.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
How to have a Trumpy Christmas, and make the president-elect richer, too
The president-elect is profiting off his election in unprecedented ways as his family business sells $92 MAGA hat Christmas ornaments and $22 golden wrapping paper.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 25, 2024 at 8:53 PM
Have a very Trumpy Christmas with $38 advent calendars, $92 MAGA hat ornaments and $28 golden Trump wrapping paper.
This holiday season, Trump is personally profiting off of his upcoming term in a manner that is unprecedented in modern history.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
This holiday season, Trump is personally profiting off of his upcoming term in a manner that is unprecedented in modern history.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Cat Zakrzewski
A very MAGA Christmas: $38 Trump Advent calendar, $95 Mar-a-Lago bauble, $86 “GIANT Trump Chocolate Gold Bar” — all proceeds benefit the Trump Organization www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
How to have a Trumpy Christmas, and make the president-elect richer, too
The president-elect is profiting off his election in unprecedented ways as his family business sells $92 MAGA hat Christmas ornaments and $22 golden wrapping paper.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 25, 2024 at 7:33 PM
A very MAGA Christmas: $38 Trump Advent calendar, $95 Mar-a-Lago bauble, $86 “GIANT Trump Chocolate Gold Bar” — all proceeds benefit the Trump Organization www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Cat Zakrzewski
“How much is he going to use the presidency just to sell Trump products?” www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
How to have a Trumpy Christmas, and make the president-elect richer, too
The president-elect is profiting off his election in unprecedented ways as his family business sells $92 MAGA hat Christmas ornaments and $22 golden wrapping paper.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 25, 2024 at 7:12 PM
“How much is he going to use the presidency just to sell Trump products?” www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Foreign leaders who criticized Trump’s “America First” agenda are now scrambling to court him.
— Macron invited him to Notre Dame’s reopening
— Trudeau rushed to Mar A Lago for a meeting last month
— Zelensky and other world leaders are calling him
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
— Macron invited him to Notre Dame’s reopening
— Trudeau rushed to Mar A Lago for a meeting last month
— Zelensky and other world leaders are calling him
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Foreign leaders criticized Trump. Now they’re courting him.
The president-elect is set to arrive in Paris on Saturday not as a punchline but as a guest of honor for the reopening of Notre Dame, the world-famous cathedral whose guardians once seemed to mock him...
www.washingtonpost.com
December 7, 2024 at 8:06 AM
Foreign leaders who criticized Trump’s “America First” agenda are now scrambling to court him.
— Macron invited him to Notre Dame’s reopening
— Trudeau rushed to Mar A Lago for a meeting last month
— Zelensky and other world leaders are calling him
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
— Macron invited him to Notre Dame’s reopening
— Trudeau rushed to Mar A Lago for a meeting last month
— Zelensky and other world leaders are calling him
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Landed in Paris, where I’m covering Trump’s visit to Notre Dame.
During the blaze, French officials appeared to mock Trump’s recommendations to douse the flames with “flying water tankers.”
More than 5 years later, he’s here as a guest of honor.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
During the blaze, French officials appeared to mock Trump’s recommendations to douse the flames with “flying water tankers.”
More than 5 years later, he’s here as a guest of honor.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Foreign leaders criticized Trump. Now they’re courting him.
The president-elect is set to arrive in Paris on Saturday not as a punchline but as a guest of honor for the reopening of Notre Dame, the world-famous cathedral whose guardians once seemed to mock him...
www.washingtonpost.com
December 7, 2024 at 7:59 AM
Landed in Paris, where I’m covering Trump’s visit to Notre Dame.
During the blaze, French officials appeared to mock Trump’s recommendations to douse the flames with “flying water tankers.”
More than 5 years later, he’s here as a guest of honor.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
During the blaze, French officials appeared to mock Trump’s recommendations to douse the flames with “flying water tankers.”
More than 5 years later, he’s here as a guest of honor.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
NEW: A month after securing the White House with populist promises to working class voters, Trump is stacking his administration with billionaires and ultra-wealthy business leaders.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump has assembled an uber-wealthy Cabinet, raising risks of ethics conflicts
President-elect Trump is stacking his cabinet with billionaires and centi-millionaires, whose financial entanglements pose conflict of interest challenges.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2024 at 8:08 PM
NEW: A month after securing the White House with populist promises to working class voters, Trump is stacking his administration with billionaires and ultra-wealthy business leaders.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
For more than 100 years, presidents have formed government efficiency commissions similar to Elon Musk's DOGE.
Many have been "abject failures."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Many have been "abject failures."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
The disappointing history of government efficiency commissions like DOGE
Since at least the administration of Theodore Roosevelt, presidents have been appointing commissions to reform the government. Most have come up short.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 15, 2024 at 6:12 PM
For more than 100 years, presidents have formed government efficiency commissions similar to Elon Musk's DOGE.
Many have been "abject failures."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Many have been "abject failures."
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Cat Zakrzewski
4) @cqzakrz.bsky.social, @drewharwell.com, & @naominix.bsky.social dive into how the Trump campaign went all in on the "manosphere"
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
November 12, 2024 at 5:35 PM
4) @cqzakrz.bsky.social, @drewharwell.com, & @naominix.bsky.social dive into how the Trump campaign went all in on the "manosphere"
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Cat Zakrzewski
🚨 Big scoop: Trump team is considering using Elon Musk’s efficiency commission to slash spending unilaterally — without Congress needing to vote.
That’d set up a major constitutional showdown over the power of the purse.
— via @jeffstein.bsky.social, Lizzie Dwoskin, @cqzakrz.bsky.social + me
That’d set up a major constitutional showdown over the power of the purse.
— via @jeffstein.bsky.social, Lizzie Dwoskin, @cqzakrz.bsky.social + me
Trump aides explore plans to boost Musk effort by wresting control from Congress
The White House could challenge a 1974 law that blocks presidents from choosing which programs to fund.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2024 at 11:01 PM
🚨 Big scoop: Trump team is considering using Elon Musk’s efficiency commission to slash spending unilaterally — without Congress needing to vote.
That’d set up a major constitutional showdown over the power of the purse.
— via @jeffstein.bsky.social, Lizzie Dwoskin, @cqzakrz.bsky.social + me
That’d set up a major constitutional showdown over the power of the purse.
— via @jeffstein.bsky.social, Lizzie Dwoskin, @cqzakrz.bsky.social + me
NEW: A Washington Post analysis found more than two dozen prominent podcasts preemptively cast doubt on the integrity of the 2024 election.
Experts say it's technically challenging to monitor podcasts, creating a "safe space" for election fraud claims.
Experts say it's technically challenging to monitor podcasts, creating a "safe space" for election fraud claims.
October 31, 2024 at 11:54 AM
NEW: A Washington Post analysis found more than two dozen prominent podcasts preemptively cast doubt on the integrity of the 2024 election.
Experts say it's technically challenging to monitor podcasts, creating a "safe space" for election fraud claims.
Experts say it's technically challenging to monitor podcasts, creating a "safe space" for election fraud claims.
Reposted by Cat Zakrzewski
Exclusive: A Washington Post analysis found that Republicans are posting more, getting followed more and going viral more now that Elon Musk, the world’s richest Trump supporter, is running the show.
On Elon Musk’s X, Republicans go viral as Democrats disappear
Republicans are posting more, getting followed more and much more likely to go viral now that the world’s richest Trump supporter is running the show.
wapo.st
October 29, 2024 at 12:46 PM
Exclusive: A Washington Post analysis found that Republicans are posting more, getting followed more and going viral more now that Elon Musk, the world’s richest Trump supporter, is running the show.
NEW: Kamala Harris's brother-in-law Tony West is playing a prominent role in her campaign.
Critics are concerned about the Uber chief legal officer's role in shaping her views on corporate interests. Harris's policies could impact Uber and his stock holdings.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Critics are concerned about the Uber chief legal officer's role in shaping her views on corporate interests. Harris's policies could impact Uber and his stock holdings.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Tony West, Harris’s brother-in-law, is corporate insider and campaign adviser
On leave as Uber’s chief legal officer, Tony West plays a pivotal role in the Harris presidential campaign — raising concerns about possible conflicts of interest.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 29, 2024 at 2:12 PM
NEW: Kamala Harris's brother-in-law Tony West is playing a prominent role in her campaign.
Critics are concerned about the Uber chief legal officer's role in shaping her views on corporate interests. Harris's policies could impact Uber and his stock holdings.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Critics are concerned about the Uber chief legal officer's role in shaping her views on corporate interests. Harris's policies could impact Uber and his stock holdings.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Cat Zakrzewski
There are basically no rules for influencers who get paid by political campaigns. What could go wrong? Great @cqzakrz.bsky.social piece: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
The new dark money: How influencers get paid big bucks to court your vote
Campaigns and PACs are funneling record funds into social media firms that work with creators. But these influencers operate in a regulatory vacuum.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 26, 2024 at 8:28 PM
There are basically no rules for influencers who get paid by political campaigns. What could go wrong? Great @cqzakrz.bsky.social piece: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...