Musk takes aim at USAID and top moments from the Grammys: Morning Rundown

Musk says he and Trump have agreed to shut down USAID down. Beyoncé finally wins album of the year at the Grammys. Plus, a look at why egg prices are going up. 

Here’s what to know today.

 Elon Musk says he and Trump are shutting down USAID 

Elon Musk said that he and President Donald Trump were in the process of shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development, escalating their war on the federal bureaucracy and defying the constitutional power of Congress to determine how money is spent. Musk, the head of Trump’s government efficiency initiative, announced the shutdown in the middle of the night in an audio-only appearance on his social media site X.

We’re shutting it down,” he said. At another point, he said “we’re in the process” of “shutting down USAID.”

Musk did not say what legal authority he believed the White House has to shut down a federal agency without congressional approval, or how quickly the administration planned to act. He said the idea had “the full support of the president” and that he had spoken with Trump on the matter several times.

“With regard to the USAID stuff, I went over [it] with him in detail, and he agreed that we should shut it down,” he said. “I actually checked with him a few times [and] said, ‘Are you sure?’” he said. He said that Trump responded, “Yes.”

Trump said yesterday that Musk “is doing a good job,” and criticized USAID as “run by a bunch of radical lunatics,” though Trump did not go so far as to say he planned to shut down the agency, with or without congressional agreement. Musk’s announcement followed an unusual incident in which USAID’s director of security and his deputy were placed on administrative leave after they tried to prevent employees from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing secure USAID systems, five sources told NBC News.

Trump administration officials have discussed placing USAID under the authority of the State Department, according to more than a dozen current and former officials and sources familiar with the discussions.

 Conservatives reignite a battle over race and the Constitution

As part of President Donald Trump’s new war on diversity programs, conservatives are renewing a long-running legal battle over the meaning of the Constitution’s guarantee of “equal protection” that dates back to the post-Civil War era.

Trump’s executive order states that DEI programs aimed at fostering diversity that have become widespread in government and the private sector are “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex- based preferences.”

In some instances, Trump is seeking to overturn decades-old policies aimed at protecting and empowering minority groups, both within and outside of the federal government. At the same time, conservative groups are pursuing court cases challenging policies they view as unlawfully promoting racial preferences. With a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which has already ended the consideration of race in college admissions, the Trump administration is likely to have a sympathetic audience for race-related cases.

Read the full story here. 

Women (and Kendrick Lamar) dominate the 2025 Grammys

It was finally Beyoncé’s night.

She won her first album of the year Grammy with “Cowboy Carter,” which also won best country album after a whopping 11 nominations. Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammys history, had previously lost the award — considered the most prestigious handed out by the Recording Academy — four times.

“I just feel very full and very honored,” Beyoncé said after she accepted the award. “It’s been many, many years.”

Kendrick Lamar led with five awards for his viral hit “Not Like Us,” including record of the year and song of the year.

Breakout female artists dominated, with pop sensation Chappell Roan winning her first Grammy for best new artist, using her acceptance speech to call on record labels to “offer a livable wage and healthcare.” Doechii and Sabrina Carpenter took home early awards for best rap album and best pop vocal album, respectively. Charli XCX brought “Brat” to the stage for her Grammys debut, snagging two awards in the process.

The Los Angeles fires were a central focus of the 2025 ceremony — Trevor Noah’s opening monologue and multiple musical guests honored the city. Students from high schools that burned in Altadena and the Palisades were also featured on the Grammys stage, singing alongside “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo, legend Stevie Wonder and others in a touching tribute to Quincy Jones. The Grammys and its affiliated charity Musicares raised over $7 million for fire relief throughout the evening, and firefighters helped close out the night.

Hip hop royalty Queen Latifah presented Alicia Keys with The Dr. Dre Global Impact Award for her contributions to the industry and philanthropic sector. The 17-time Grammy winner highlighted the importance of diverse voices in the music space, saying, “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.”

Staff Pick: The egg price explosion 

Why? That’s the question most people ask when they see the prices going up on their everyday needs. And with inflation having been a big part of the election (not to mention President Donald Trump’s campaign promises), it’s crucial for people to get an answer. Here, we wanted to go beyond the why to explain the context — and the reasons that other prices could be going up soon. 

— Jason Abbruzzese, assistant managing editor

NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

 Picking up the right comforter is all about finding the perfect balance between fabric, weight and fill material. Stay warm this season with the best expert recommended comforters. Plus, the NBC Select team’s review of an automatic litter box, which makes cat ownership an odorless breeze.

5 minutes ago: Elon Musk exposed the whole situation and Beyoncé was removed from all the awards she had won at the Grammys, ‘She used money and connections to get it.

In a recent development, unverified reports have surfaced alleging that entrepreneur Elon Musk has exposed a situation leading to singer Beyoncé being stripped of her Grammy awards due to accusations of using money and connections to secure them. However, as of now, there is no credible evidence or official statements supporting these claims.

Beyoncé’s achievements at the 2025 Grammy Awards were historic, as she became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album. Her album “Cowboy Carter” received critical acclaim and resonated with a broad audience, further cementing her legacy in the music industry.

 

Elon Musk, known for his ventures in technology and space exploration, has not publicly commented on Beyoncé’s Grammy wins or any related controversies. Recent news involving Musk includes his efforts to shut down USAID and his influence on government agencies, but there is no indication of his involvement in matters related to the Grammy Awards.

It’s important to approach such unverified claims with caution. Spreading misinformation can harm individuals’ reputations and mislead the public. Until credible sources provide verified information, these allegations should be regarded as unfounded.

In the age of social media, rumors can spread rapidly, often without basis in fact. It’s crucial for individuals to critically assess the information they encounter and rely on reputable news outlets for accurate reporting.

As of now, Beyoncé’s Grammy awards remain intact, and there is no substantiated evidence to support the claims of misconduct. Both Beyoncé and Elon Musk continue to focus on their respective careers, contributing significantly to their fields.

In conclusion, while the internet may buzz with sensational stories, it’s essential to discern fact from fiction and await official confirmations before accepting such claims as truth.