Adem Jones || Issue 10 || December 3rd, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), solidifying a growing alliance between two of the most influential figures in politics and technology. This partnership, marked by public endorsements and mutual admiration, has already begun to reshape political and technological discourse in the U.S. Musk, known for his leadership roles at Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X, endorsed Trump during the 2024 campaign after an assassination attempt on the former president in July. Musk’s public backing came as a surprise to some, given his previously critical stance on Trump. Musk even tweeted in 2021 that Trump should “hang up his hat & sail into the sunset.”
However, his endorsement marked a turning point, with Musk becoming one of Trump’s most vocal supporters. “President Trump is the only one who can save democracy,” Musk declared at a rally in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in October. Musk’s influence went beyond words. Reportedly he invested at least $175 million into Trump’s campaign, aiding Republican efforts in swing states like Pennsylvania. Musk also played a direct role in the campaign, organizing town halls and fielding voter questions. His support has not gone unnoticed by Trump, who praised Musk as a “star” during campaign speeches and celebrated his contributions to technology and innovation. Trump’s admiration culminated in Musk’s appointment to DOGE, a new federal agency aimed at improving government efficiency and reducing waste. “This department will send shock waves through the system,” Musk said in a statement. Musk’s involvement in Trump’s administration raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, given his companies’ extensive ties to the federal government. SpaceX and Tesla have both benefited from billions of dollars in government contracts and subsidies. At the same time, Tesla is under federal investigation for the safety of its self-driving technology. Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, highlighted this duality, saying, “He is simultaneously being targeted by the federal government and being paid billions of dollars by the federal government.” Despite the scrutiny, Musk has become a central figure in Trump’s inner circle,
even participating in phone calls with foreign leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
His role signals a shift in the relationship between business leaders and political power, blending financial influence with policymaking. Not everyone believes the alliance will last. Adam Clark Estes, senior technology correspondent at Vox, expressed skepticism about the sustainability of their partnership. “I don’t think those two personalities can stay friends for too long,” Estes said. “Even
if he lasts the next two months, I think he’ll leave a tremendous impression on the Trump administration.”
Photo Credits (below): Justin
Merriman / Bloomberg via
Getty Images file
The Hudsonian 