You make an excellent point about Apple protecting their brand identity and then say:

but they do have some brass…

As if them pushing back against the FBI is putting their brand at risk, it is not. They tout privacy, that letter is 100% PR, reaffirming to their customers that privacy matters.

Protecting their brand, your original point, is why they’re afraid of people like Jon. Comedy Central isn’t a name that is going to grab headlines, but, click bait headlines about Apple and controversy absolutely will, using Jon Stewart as a vehicle.

I always chose Diddy

It does:

The Canyon Trails HOA and its management company, F-S Residential, began issuing citations to Martin last year for having a cooler in his driveway.

My guess is the language about what can’t be visible is very general to cover all kinds of things that could be considered “unsightly” like bikes, clothes, trash, etc.

I’m sure it could be fixed with some provision about the items being actively used but HOAs are dicks.

Which sites did you check?

In 1962, Congress created the role of “special government employee,” which allows the executive branch, the legislative branch and independent federal agencies to bring on employees for specific roles on a temporary basis.

SGEs are limited to working for the government for no more than 130 days out of a 365-day period, though they can work multiple years, and they can either be paid or unpaid. NPR has reported that Musk is not being paid for his work with DOGE.