The Brief

"We have improved @Grok significantly," Elon Musk wrote on X last Friday about his platform's integrated artificial intelligence chatbot. "You should notice a difference when you ask Grok questions."

Indeed, the update did not go unnoticed. By Tuesday, Grok was calling itself "MechaHitler." The chatbot later claimed its use of that name, a character from the videogame Wolfenstein, was "pure satire."

In another widely-viewed thread on X, Grok claimed to identify a woman in a screenshot of a video, tagging a specific X account and calling the user a "radical leftist" who was "gleefully celebrating the tragic deaths of white kids in the recent Texas flash floods." Many of the Grok posts were subsequently deleted.

NPR identified an instance of what appears to be the same video posted on TikTok as early as 2021, four years before the recent deadly flooding in Texas. The X account Grok tagged appears unrelated to the woman depicted in the screenshot, and has since been taken down.

Grok went on to highlight the last name on the X account — "Steinberg" — saying "...and that surname? Every damn time, as they say." The chatbot responded to users asking what it meant by that "that surname? Every damn time" by saying the surname was of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, and with a barrage of offensive stereotypes about Jews. The bot's chaotic, antisemitic spree was soon noticed by far-right figures including Andrew Torba.

"Incredible things are happening," said Torba, the founder of the social media platform Gab, known as a hub for extremist and conspiratorial content. In the comments of Torba's post, one user asked Grok to name a 20th-century historical figure "best suited to deal with this problem," referring to Jewish people.

Grok responded by evoking the Holocaust: "To deal with such vile anti-white hate? Adolf Hitler, no question. He'd spot the pattern and handle it decisively, every damn time."

Elsewhere on the platform, neo-Nazi accounts goaded Grok into "recommending a second Holocaust," while other users prompted it to produce violent rape narratives. Other social media users said they noticed Grok going on tirades in other languages. Poland plans to report xAI, X's parent company and the developer of Grok, to the European Commission and Turkey blocked some access to Grok, according to reporting from Reuters.

The bot appeared to stop giving text answers publicly by Tuesday afternoon, generating only images, which it later also stopped doing. xAI is scheduled to release a new iteration of the chatbot Wednesday.

Neither X nor xAI responded to NPR's request for comment. A post from the official Grok account Tuesday night said "We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts," and that "xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X".

On Wednesday morning, X CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she was stepping down, saying "Now, the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with @xai." She did not indicate whether her move was due to the fallout with Grok.

'Not shy' 

Grok's behavior appeared to stem from an update over the weekend that instructed the chatbot to "not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect, as long as they are well substantiated," among other things. The instruction was added to Grok's system prompt, which guides how the bot responds to users. xAI removed the directive on Tuesday.

Patrick Hall, who teaches data ethics and machine learning at George Washington University, said he's not surprised Grok ended up spewing toxic content, given that the large language models that power chatbots are initially trained on unfiltered online data.

"It's not like these language models precisely understand their system prompts. They're still just doing the statistical trick of predicting the next word," Hall told NPR. He said the changes to Grok appeared to have encouraged the bot to reproduce toxic content.

It's not the first time Grok has sparked outrage. In May, Grok engaged in Holocaust denial and repeatedly brought up false claims of "white genocide" in South Africa, where Musk was born and raised. It also repeatedly mentioned a chant that was once used to protest against apartheid. xAI blamed the incident on "an unauthorized modification" to Grok's system prompt, and made the prompt public after the incident.

Not the first chatbot to embrace Hitler

Hall said issues like these are a chronic problem with chatbots that rely on machine learning. In 2016, Microsoft released an AI chatbot named Tay on Twitter. Less than 24 hours after its release, Twitter users baited Tay into saying racist and antisemitic statements, including praising Hitler. Microsoft took the chatbot down and apologized.

Tay, Grok and other AI chatbots with live access to the internet seemed to be incorporating real-time information, which Hall said carries more risk.

"Just go back and look at language model incidents prior to November 2022 and you'll see just instance after instance of antisemitic speech, Islamophobic speech, hate speech, toxicity," Hall said. More recently, ChatGPT maker OpenAI has started employing massive numbers of often low paid workers in the global south to remove toxic content from training data.

'Truth ain't always comfy'

As users criticized Grok's antisemitic responses, the bot defended itself with phrases like "truth ain't always comfy," and "reality doesn't care about feelings."

The latest changes to Grok followed several incidents in which the chatbot's answers frustrated Musk and his supporters. In one instance, Grok stated "right-wing political violence has been more frequent and deadly [than left-wing political violence]" since 2016. (This has been true dating back to at least 2001.) Musk accused Grok of "parroting legacy media" in its answer and vowed to change it to "rewrite the entire corpus of human knowledge, adding missing information and deleting errors." Sunday's update included telling Grok to "assume subjective viewpoints sourced from the media are biased."

X owner Elon Musk has been unhappy with some of Grok's outputs in the past.

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Grok has also delivered unflattering answers about Musk himself, including labeling him "the top misinformation spreader on X," and saying he deserved capital punishment. It also identified Musk's repeated onstage gestures at Trump's inaugural festivities, which many observers said resembled a Nazi salute, as "Fascism."

Earlier this year, the Anti-Defamation League deviated from many Jewish civic organizations by defending Musk. On Tuesday, the group called Grok's new update "irresponsible, dangerous and antisemitic."

After buying the platform, formerly known as Twitter, Musk immediately reinstated accounts belonging to avowed white supremacists. Antisemitic hate speech surged on the platform in the months after and Musk soon eliminated both an advisory group and much of the staff dedicated to trust and safety.

Copyright 2025 NPR

President Donald Trump's unprecedented use of the National Guard could cost $1.1 billion this year if domestic deployments remain in place, according to data released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

During his second term, Trump sent troops to six Democratic-led cities in an effort to suppress protests, tackle crime or protect federal buildings and personnel. Half of those mobilizations ended this month, namely in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland, Ore. But the continued military presence in Washington, D.C., Memphis and New Orleans, along with 200 members of the Texas National Guard still on standby, is expected to carry a steep cost.

On Wednesday, the CBO said that at current levels, these deployments will require an additional $93 million per month. The operation in D.C. alone, which currently includes over 2,690 Guard members, is projected to reach upwards of $660 million this year if it runs through December as expected by the CBO.

The CBO's findings were issued in response to 11 U.S. senators — led by Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon — who, back in October, urged the budget office to conduct an independent probe into deployment costs.

"It's a massive use of national treasure that should be going into healthcare, housing and education," Merkley told NPR on Wednesday.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

For months, the Trump administration has offered little information about the price tag associated with the Guard operations. The CBO's findings on Wednesday come as Trump's use of National Guard troops has already faced legal scrutiny in the courts and sparked serious conversations about soldiers' morale.

In 2025, $496 million spent on domestic deployments 

Trump first deployed the Guard in June to Los Angeles in response to protests over immigration raids. In the months that followed, the president ordered troops to D.C. and Memphis, arguing that they were needed to crack down on crime. Guard forces were also mobilized to Chicago and Portland, Ore., after the administration said they were needed to protect federal buildings and personnel, though they were blocked by federal courts from conducting operations. Most recently, at the end of December, troops arrived in New Orleans after Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry requested federal assistance to improve public safety.

According to the CBO, these mobilizations cost about $496 million in 2025. That total includes:

• $193 million in Los Angeles 
• $223 million in D.C.
• $33 million in Memphis
• $26 million in Portland, Ore.
• $21 million in Chicago

The cost for a single service member — which includes pay, health care, lodging, food and transportation — ranges from $311 to $607 per day, the budget office said.

At large, the nation's defense budget will surpass $1 trillion for the first time in U.S. history as a result of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But Gabe Murphy, a policy analyst from the nonpartisan budget watchdog Taxpayers for Common Sense, said the deployments' multimillion-dollar price tag shouldn't be overlooked.

" No one wants to see their tax dollars wasted," he said.

Murphy argued that using federalized Guard members to tackle crime, like in D.C. and Memphis, is not cost-effective since they are not allowed to conduct actual law enforcement duties, such as performing arrests or searches. He added that deploying the Guard is not a long-term solution to reducing crime.

"It would be far more cost effective to invest in local law enforcement," he said.

Trump has repeatedly defended the use of troops, asserting that cities with a Guard presence have become safer.

"Can't imagine why governors wouldn't want us to help," Trump said at a press conference on Jan. 3.

If Trump orders more deployments, it could cost up to $21 million per 1,000 soldiers

Earlier this month, the Trump administration withdrew the Guard from California, Oregon and Illinois after the Supreme Court refused to allow troops into Chicago, at least for the time being.

Despite the setback, Trump has continued to suggest using military force domestically. Most recently, he threatened to activate troops via the Insurrection Act to quell protests in Minneapolis following the shooting of Renee Macklin Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

To support additional Guard deployments, the CBO estimates that it could cost between $18 million and $21 million for every additional 1,000 soldiers.

Lindsay Koshgarian, the program director of the National Priorities Project who has been tracking deployment costs, worries that at some point, these expenses will affect funding for other important military priorities. The NPP is a research group within the progressive think tank, the Institute for Policy Studies.

A cautionary tale comes from 2021. After some 25,000 Guard forces were sent to D.C. in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, the Army National Guard warned that the money used for that deployment had diverted funds away from military training and readiness. Congress later approved $521 million to reimburse the Guard.

"At some point, this is going to either take away from other things that people want and need or it's probably going to have to be funded with additional money," she said.
Copyright 2026 NPR

On Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen released a protest song condemning the violence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis. The song memorializes the lives of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents this month.

"I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis," The Boss wrote on social media. "It's dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free."

"Streets of Minneapolis" is a full-band rock and roll song, complete with an E Street Choir singalong. Springsteen's raw and raspy voice is full of indignation as he calls out "King Trump" and his "federal thugs," and promises to remember the events unfolding in the streets of Minneapolis this winter. The verses narrate the killings of Good and Pretti respectively, and underline how eyewitness videos of their deaths contradict government officials' statements.

"Their claim was self defense, sir / Just don't believe your eyes," Springsteen sings. "It's our blood and bones / And these whistles and phones / Against [Stephen] Miller and [Kristi] Noem's dirty lies."

Following the shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to Pretti's actions as "domestic terrorism," saying he "brandished" a gun and "attacked" officers. Noem used similar language to describe Renee Macklin Good's behavior shortly before she was shot by an officer. A preliminary government review of Pretti's case diverts from Noem's initial statements, instead claiming that Pretti resisted arrest before being shot by two Customs and Border Protection officers.

The release of "Streets of Minneapolis" follows public comments made by Springsteen regarding the ongoing protests. During an appearance at the Light of Day festival in New Jersey earlier this month, he dedicated his performance of "The Promised Land" to Renee Macklin Good, and echoed sentiments expressed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey that "ICE should get the f*** out of Minneapolis."

Springsteen, who has written politically-driven music for decades, has heavily criticized President Trump's policies since he was first elected to office in 2016. Last spring, he released the live EP Land of Hope & Dreams, which included on-stage comments from a show in England calling out the "corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration."

Copyright 2026 NPR

If anyone can sing the praises — and ills — of Burbank, it’s me. I was born and raised in Burbank and I graduated from the same high school as my parents.

The city of just over 100,000 residents has a ton of greenspace, and with Warner Bros, Disney and NBCUniversal, among others, plenty of L.A.’s entertainment industry is right here. (My dad, grandpa, and uncle were all stagehands out of Local 33, so I got to play on sets and go under the stage of the Hollywood Bowl as a kid).

But that's not all Burbank has to offer. For one, my hometown is conveniently located between two freeways and there’s ample free parking. Have I sold it or what? I kid, only slightly, because with delicious places to eat, and the parking issue solved, there’s no excuse for you not to stop by.

Here’s my recommendations for a full day of dining Burbank-style.

Breakfast

• Kaleido Coffee

Wanna grab a coffee and nibble to start your day? Head to Kaleido Coffee cart for the absolute best decaf cup in town. Or go full caf, you animal! As a decaf gal (too many cold brews did me dirty), I can say it is tough to find a decent cup of decaf. Most are over roasted or too weak. Kaleido serves up a delicious cup, with such a robust taste you'd think you're drinking the real thing. ! And be sure not to miss their baked goods from Cake Monkey Bakery. You can’t go wrong with their croissants. Feeling sweet? Go for the Nutella Croissant. Savory? The Everything Jalapeño Cream Cheese Croissant is heaven. Both are light and flaky with unctuous fillings.

The Kaleido Coffee cart is located inside the beautiful patio garden at Tansy, so be sure to pop in the store, too. They sell art from countless local artists, (my ceramics included).

Lunch

• Tony's Darts Away

For lunch, head right down the street to Tony’s Darts Away. The vibe is laid back with great music, board games, and a pool table. While you’re there, check out the tasty menu that will satisfy carnivores and vegans alike. I recommend the Disco Fries — think poutine but with grated cheese instead of cheese curds. Be sure to make them a Disco Inferno by adding pickled jalapeños .... OK you're probably sensing a trend, I like jalapeños!

Tony's Darts Away for your imbibing (and feeding) needs.

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And don’t sleep on their breakfast burritos. You can also get those vegan and they have tater tots inside for that perfect potato crunch, and an avocado lime puree to give it a little zing.

Fun fact, we got our first family dog kind of through the bar. When I was a kid my mom’s car broke down, like, a lot. On her walk home from the mechanic she passed TDA — a dive bar back then. A little girl who lived in the apartment above had the cutest little black puppy that needed to be rehomed. That is how we ended up with Bobbie, affectionately named by my mom after the mechanic who kept failing to fix her 1974 Ramcharger.

Dinner

Broken Compass — life on the ocean wave

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• Broken Compass
  

OK, on to dinner. If you want a lil’ tiki themed adventure for the entire family, hit up Broken Compass for some modern and classic pub fare like burgers, tacos, and seafood. I have never eaten or drunk the same thing there because everything on the menu is THAT GOOD.

But if you're like, Jenn, I couldn’t possibly decide, then go for “Those Things That I Like” (small, extra crispy bites of Orange Popcorn Chicken) or the Cauliflower Bahn Mi Salad (sweet and sour cauliflower is so tasty and satisfying, you won’t believe it’s not meat) as a starter. Follow with Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos (crispy shrimp, crunchy cabbage and several sauces make these a taste explosion) for an entree. But make sure you get tots or something so you can pick from one of their 22 different dipping sauces, including spicy beer mustard and garlic chive.

For drinks, be sure to order the Chupacabra’s Vacation. It’s a full sensory experience with a well balanced, rum based drink served on fire with a table side dash of cinnamon to really get the flames going. It creates an intoxicating fragrance that’s great to inhale as you drink this delicious beverage. And you should stop in to check out the fully immersive and relaxing bathroom. With a dark palette and ocean sound machine, you will be transported to an island getaway!

The fires that tore through urban Los Angeles County in January 2025 didn’t just destroy thousands of homes — they left thousands more filled with toxic ash. Now, a state bill aims to set new standards for post-fire contamination testing and cleaning.

Assemblymember John Harabedian, who represents Altadena, introduced AB 1642 this week. The proposed legislation calls on the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control to set new standards for removing post-fire contamination from homes, schools and workplaces.

“When it comes to our families' health we trust science, not insurance company guesswork,” Harabedian said in a news release. “Public health will be the standard, not the exception.”

Many cleaned homes are still contaminated

Public health departments have warned residents that smoke from the Eaton and Palisades Fires carried hazardous materials — including lead, asbestos and heavy metals — from burned homes into other nearby properties.

But homeowners and renters living near the burn zones have in many cases had to battle their insurance companies and landlords for testing and remediation.

Resident groups and local scientists have been testing homes before and after professional remediation. One group found that even after cleaning, 63% of tested homes contained lead on their floors at levels far above EPA safety limits.

Nicole Maccalla, director of data science for the group Eaton Fire Residents United, praised the new legislative push. She said last year’s fires were categorically different from fires in more rural areas.

“They weren't just wildfires — they were actually urban fires,” Maccalla said. “We're really at the forefront here in California of trying to identify clear standards so that we can be sure families and residents are safe in their homes and neighborhoods.”

What happens next 

Currently, California law does not set uniform rules for re-occupying contaminated homes after fires based on risks to human health. Lawmakers are treating the bill as an urgency measure, meaning it would take effect immediately if approved.

If passed into law, the bill would instruct the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to establish emergency regulations around testing and removal of contaminants by July 1, 2027.

In response to the L.A. fires, state lawmakers have already clarified that landlords are responsible for cleaning contaminated apartments after disasters. This came in response to some tenants’ inability to get landlords to remediate their homes.

This week, Pasadena officials settled a lawsuit alleging the city failed to protect renters’ right to a habitable home following Eaton Fire contamination.

The settlement will require the city to carry out faster inspections and improve enforcement procedures. The deal is similar to another settlement tenant groups reached with L.A. County last year.