Elon Conflicts Abound, Potential Government Shutdown, Five Years since COVID, Ukraine Ceasefire Deal Pending, and What the Democrats Should Do

Good morning. It’s Friday, March 14.

Today, we are covering Elon Musk’s conflicts of interest, Senator Schumer’s push to avert a government shutdown, looking back on COVID five years later, Ukraine accepting a US-proposed ceasefire, and more. We are also listening to some interesting podcasts, so make sure you scroll down and check them out.

But before we jump into everything, I wanted to share some thoughts on what the Democrats could do right now to combat Trump. If Democrats want to win back Americans, they don’t need a new slogan, a viral TikTok campaign, bingo paddle boards, or another round of "democracy is on the ballot" speeches. What they need is to prove—in tangible, daily ways—that government can work.

Ezra Klein recently laid this out in his latest op-ed: When people experience government as incompetent, wasteful, or indifferent to their struggles, it creates a vacuum. And into that vacuum steps someone like Donald Trump, promising to burn it all down, cut it all up, and hand it over to private industry. The best counter to Trumpism isn’t just policy proposals or rhetoric—it’s competence.

Consider California's high-speed rail project. Initially approved in 2008 with a budget of $33 billion and an expected completion date of 2020, the project has faced significant delays and cost overruns. As of 2024, the estimated cost has ballooned to $106.2 billion, with completion now projected for 2040. Such mismanagement erodes public trust in government's ability to execute large-scale infrastructure projects effectively.

The education system tells a similar story. Despite substantial financial investments, with public K–12 schools spending an average of $17,277 per pupil and total expenditures reaching approximately $857.2 billion nationwide, student performance has not seen commensurate improvements. The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress reveals that U.S. students have fallen behind in reading, with only 67% of eighth graders and 60% of fourth graders meeting basic reading skills. Math scores have also declined, with eighth-grade math proficiency dropping. These declines have been exacerbated by the pandemic, highlighting systemic issues that predate COVID-19.

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles further illustrate governmental shortcomings. Complex environmental regulations, such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), have historically hampered essential vegetation management efforts, contributing to the severity of fires. Post-disaster, residents face bureaucratic delays in rebuilding; for example, victims of the recent Los Angeles wildfires are facing significant delays in rebuilding their homes due to government bureaucracy, with debris removal taking up to 18 months.

When people see their tax dollars squandered and their communities struggling, they stop believing in government’s ability to function. And when that belief collapses, so does the case for Democratic governance.

This is the real opportunity—and the real challenge—for Democrats in cities, towns, and states across the country. They need to prove, unequivocally, that government can be a force for good. That means getting the basics right: efficient public transportation, clean and safe streets, well-run schools, and housing people can afford. Not just big ideas, but competent execution. Not just messaging, but results. Because if they don’t, they won’t just lose elections—they’ll lose the argument entirely.

If you like what Good Diet is building and curating, share our subscribe URL with a friend. Also, let us know what you love, what you’d like to see more or less of, or any other suggestions you may have. You can send feedback directly to me at [email protected].

Best,

Rashad Drakeford

Co-Founder & Publisher, Good Diet

Elon Musk’s Unprecedented Government Conflicts

Elon Musk’s deepening relationship with Donald Trump isn’t just about two powerful men aligning—it’s about the merging of corporate control and government authority. With Musk overseeing the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) while his companies rake in billions in federal contracts, the conflict of interest is impossible to ignore. The latest spectacle—Trump literally reading Tesla prices off a list on the White House lawn—proves that Musk’s financial success and Trump’s political agenda are now intertwined. But beyond the theatrics, Musk’s influence is reshaping policy, bypassing oversight, and fueling a level of crony capitalism we haven’t seen in modern U.S. history.

• DOGE Is Slashing Budgets—Except for Musk’s: Musk has been tasked with cutting $2 trillion in federal spending, eliminating government programs from disaster relief to consumer protection. But his own companies have been untouched—SpaceX has secured over $4 billion in NASA contracts, and Tesla just landed a $767 million federally funded battery deal in Puerto Rico, ensuring his businesses keep thriving while critical public services face the axe.

• Musk’s Grip on Foreign Policy: His influence extends beyond the U.S.—shortly after a private meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Musk’s Starlink secured two major telecom deals in India, raising concerns about his direct involvement in shaping international business policy. Meanwhile, Musk’s SpaceX engineers were embedded inside the Federal Aviation Administration, where they pushed their own Starlink technology as a solution to agency problems, further blurring the line between business interests and government operations.

• Regulatory Agencies Are Being Hollowed Out to Benefit Musk: Since Trump took office, at least 11 federal agencies have had 32 active investigations, complaints, or enforcement actions involving Musk’s companies, including FAA fines for SpaceX safety violations and a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit that could cost him $150 million. Under Musk’s leadership at DOGE, these same regulatory bodies have been gutted—Trump has fired or forced out key officials at the National Labor Relations Board, CFPB, and SEC, effectively stalling investigations into Musk’s business empire and eliminating oversight.

COVID-19: Five Years Later

Five years after COVID-19 upended the world, its effects are still deeply felt—not just in lingering health concerns, but in the way it has reshaped our trust in institutions, public health, and education. The pandemic didn’t just expose vulnerabilities in our systems—it accelerated their breakdown, leaving a fractured society struggling to recover. From the erosion of public trust to the widening health and education gaps, America’s post-COVID reality is a case study in how a crisis can fundamentally change a nation.

• Erosion of Public Institutions: The pandemic severely damaged public trust in institutions, particularly in government, healthcare, and media. In 2020, nearly 70% of Americans trusted the CDC, but by 2024, that number had dropped to just 44%, as misinformation, shifting guidelines, and political interference eroded confidence in public health leadership.

• Health Outcomes and Disparities: While vaccines and treatments have improved survival rates, COVID-19 left lasting scars, particularly in Black and Latino communities, where hospitalization and death rates were significantly higher. Long COVID is now estimated to affect at least 10% of those infected, adding to the burden on an already strained healthcare system and disproportionately impacting lower-income workers.

• Impact on Children and Education: Students across the country are still struggling to recover from pandemic-related learning loss, with national test scores showing that math and reading proficiency remain at their lowest levels in decades. Mental health issues among young people have skyrocketed, with emergency room visits for adolescent mental health crises rising by over 30% since 2019.

Schumer’s Government Shutdown Gamble

With a government shutdown looming, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer made a stunning reversal, announcing that he and a group of Democrats would support a Republican-crafted funding bill. The move—coming after days of tough rhetoric—has enraged progressives, who see it as caving to Trump and Musk’s aggressive push to shrink the federal government. But Schumer argues that blocking the bill would be even worse, handing Trump unchecked power to decide which government programs survive and which get gutted. The decision has exposed deep fractures within the Democratic Party, setting the stage for a bitter fight over the future of government spending and party strategy.

• Austerity on Trump and Musk’s Terms: The spending bill increases military funding by $6 billion while cutting $13 billion from non-defense programs, a move that disproportionately affects social services, education, and consumer protections. At the same time, it allows Trump and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to dictate spending priorities, giving them free rein to shrink government agencies they deem “non-essential.”

• The Shutdown Power Play: A shutdown wouldn’t just be an inconvenience—it would let Trump’s administration decide which government workers get furloughed and which programs stay funded, consolidating power in the executive branch. Schumer and other Democrats argue that keeping the government open, even under bad terms, is better than giving Trump and Musk a blank check to dismantle federal agencies at will.

• Democrats Are at War With Themselves: Progressives are furious, calling Schumer’s decision a betrayal that surrenders the last bit of leverage Democrats had to slow Trump’s anti-government agenda. House Democrats overwhelmingly voted against the bill, and now the Senate fight is exposing a rift between those who want to draw a line in the sand and those who believe they have no choice but to take the deal.

Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Uncertainties

After over three years of relentless conflict, Ukraine finds itself at a critical juncture as Russian forces regain previously lost territories, and the prospect of a ceasefire remains uncertain. While Ukrainian forces have demonstrated resilience, recent developments have shifted the dynamics of the war, raising concerns about the nation's future trajectory. The international community, particularly the United States under President Trump's administration, faces complex decisions that could significantly influence the outcome of this conflict.

• Ukraine’s Shrinking Battlefield Gains: Ukraine’s counteroffensive last year reclaimed 1,300 square kilometers of Russian-held territory, but Russian forces have since reversed much of that progress. As of today, Ukraine controls only about 30% of what it originally recaptured, underscoring the brutal toll of Russia’s intensified military push and exposing cracks in Ukraine’s ability to hold ground long-term.

• A Ceasefire Full of Risks: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled tentative support for a 30-day ceasefire, but his conditions remain vague, and Ukraine fears the truce would simply give Russia time to regroup. With Ukrainian officials skeptical and Western leaders wary of legitimizing Russia’s land grabs, the proposed ceasefire could be less about peace and more about repositioning for the next phase of the war.

• International Support and Geopolitical Stakes: The United States, under President Trump's administration, has resumed high-level weapons shipments to Ukraine, bolstering its defense capabilities. This move complicates ceasefire discussions, as Russia demands an end to Western military support as a prerequisite for peace, placing the U.S. and its allies in a delicate position regarding their involvement in the conflict.

Trump’s Trade War Is Reshaping Markets

President Trump's recent escalation of trade tariffs has sent ripples through the financial markets, leading to heightened volatility and investor concern. The imposition of these tariffs has not only strained international relations but also raised fears of a potential recession, prompting analysts to reassess their economic forecasts.

• Market Volatility and Economic Projections: The S&P 500 has entered correction territory, dropping 10% from its recent highs, primarily due to escalating trade tensions. Economist Ed Yardeni has revised his year-end target for the S&P 500 down to 6,400 from 7,000, reflecting concerns over the adverse effects of tariffs on economic growth.

• Impact on Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): The unpredictable trade environment has led to a slowdown in M&A activity, as companies hesitate to engage in transactions amidst market instability. Investment banks have adjusted their forecasts, anticipating subdued capital markets activity in the coming quarters.

• Sector-Specific Reactions: The proposed 200% tariff on European alcohol imports has elicited mixed reactions within the U.S. wine industry.While some domestic producers like Willamette Valley Vineyards have seen stock gains, industry leaders express concern that such tariffs could lead to market uncertainty and reduced consumer spending.

IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson: You Should Start a Podcast with Your Sibling (Listen)

“In a small shared bedroom in a rented house on Euclid Avenue in Chicago, Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson built a special sibling bond. In their first episode, the former First Lady and her best friend and big brother share stories about being there for each other throughout their lives, from first-crushes and fraught college years to landing at the White House and losing their mom. For six decades they’ve been each others’ most trusted counsel—and now, they want to be that counsel for you.”

Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Measles is Back. How Worried Should We Be? (Listen)

“We haven’t talked much about measles since it was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. But measles is one of the most contagious viruses on the planet, and lower vaccination rates have given it a chance to spread—just like we’re seeing in West Texas. Dr. Sanjay Gupta traveled there to find out how the outbreak started, what’s being done to contain it, and how the community is coping.”

Bloomberg Businessweek: How Government at All Levels Created Segregation (Listen)

“Housing Expert and Author Leah Rothstein discusses her book Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law.”

Brand New World: The Next Creative Revolution (Listen)

“If GenAI is the biggest technological advancement since the internet itself, then the creative possibilities are or will be pretty much endless. From a brand marketing and advertising perspective, we are still very early days, but there needs to be those willing and able to push the envelope, test boundaries, make mistakes, learn lessons, and evolve from there. Yet how far should the boundaries of brand content be pushed?  In this episode, I look for some answers by talking to two founders of boutique creative shop Food Arts & Technology, industry legends creative technologist Iain Tait and designer Richard Turley. I also sat down with Jason Zada, founder of AI-focused production studio Secret Level, who has worked with major brands like Coke on utilizing these new tools.”

10% Happier with Dan Harris: How To Get Past Your Past with Yung Pueblo (Listen)

“Lessons learned from 12 years of serious meditation. Diego Perez is a meditator and #1 New York Times bestselling author who is widely known by his pen name, Yung Pueblo. His writing focuses on the power of self-healing, creating healthy relationships, and the wisdom that comes when we truly work on knowing ourselves.”