BREAKING: Musk Seeks Access To IRS Taxpayer Data | Evening News Rundown

Musk Seeks Access To IRS Taxpayer Data, Donald Trump alienates Europe, and more.

Aaron Parnas Feb 17

Originally, I planned on not providing a news update tonight because it was a slow news day, but it looks like I jinxed myself. I’m currently at Top Golf (excuse any typos) so I can’t record a video, but the news doesn’t stop for anyone. If you want to support my work and get access to exclusive articles and lives, consider subscribing today:

With that, we have alarming news this evening. According to the Washington Post, Elon Musk and DOGE are attempting to gain access to a highly-secure IRS system that contains sensitive financial data on every taxpayer, business, and nonprofit in the U.S. This has raised significant concerns within the IRS. The White House is reportedly pressuring the IRS to consider an agreement that would give DOGE officials broad access to IRS systems, including the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS). The IDRS allows IRS employees to access detailed taxpayer information, including personal identification numbers and bank data, and even adjust transaction records.

The access DOGE is requesting to this system is limited due to its sensitivity. If any taxpayer's information is disclosed or improperly accessed, they are legally entitled to compensation. This situation is alarming because it raises serious privacy concerns. The IDRS contains extremely sensitive data, and granting access to a private entity like DOGE could compromise taxpayer confidentiality and lead to potential misuse of information.

But that’s not all, here’s a bullet point list of all the news you missed:

• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he is open to sending troops to Ukraine to enforce a peace deal.

• Donald Trump says that Ukraine’s President Zelensky is wrong when he says Russia will target NATO next.

• Donald Trump was attacked by Americans for his appearance at a NASCAR event today.

• The State Department has removed “we do not support Taiwan independence” off of its website.

• Donald Trump is now asking the Supreme Court to allow him to fire the head of the Office of Special Counsel and expand his power in the process. This will be the first test for the Trump Administration at the Supreme Court.

• France is hosting an emergency summit tomorrow to discuss Donald Trump as fears grow of the United States abandoning Europe and even possibly NATO.

I’ll see you in the morning for a video update.

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— Aaron