Elon Musk's tightening grip on the government is a complex issue, but it appears to be closely tied to his relationship with President Donald Trump. Musk has been named as a special government employee, which gives him significant influence over federal agencies, despite being subject to less stringent ethics and financial disclosure rules ¹.
Musk's role seems to be a reward for his support of Trump during the campaign, for which he spent around $250 million through America PAC. In return, Trump has given Musk considerable power, including access to sensitive databases and the ability to dismantle certain government agencies ¹.
Some of the key areas where Musk is exerting his influence include:
- *Government Efficiency*: Musk has been tasked with cutting spending and streamlining government operations, which has led to concerns about the impact on federal employees and the effectiveness of government services.
- *USAID*: Musk has shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, which provides humanitarian assistance worldwide, citing it as "beyond repair."
- *Treasury Payment System*: Musk has gained access to the U.S. Treasury payment system, which handles sensitive information, including bank accounts and Social Security payments.
Democrats have raised concerns about Musk's growing influence, accusing him of leading a "coup from within" and amassing unaccountable power ¹. However, Trump and Republicans defend Musk's actions as necessary to fulfill campaign promises and streamline government operations.
