Last Tuesday saw a notable event as President Trump stood beside a gleaming electric vehicle at the White House, endorsing its creator, Elon Musk. Trump praised Musk for his dedication, stating, "This man has devoted his energy and his life to doing this. I think he's been treated very unfairly by a very small group of people." Musk, who invested around $300 million to support Trump’s presidential campaign and has promised further financial backing, received a significant boost for Tesla's reputation with this show of support. As Trump got into the car, he remarked with enthusiasm, "Everything's computers!"
Nationwide protests against Tesla have emerged in response to the "Department of Government Efficiency" initiative, or DOGE, with Musk playing a key role as a presidential advisor, cost-cutter, and government contractor. Questions about potential conflicts of interest have been raised due to Musk's involvement in the Trump administration. Katie Drummond, global editorial director of Wired, a technology publication that has reported extensively on Musk, commented, "It is very clear that there are conflicts of interest across the board. I mean, Elon Musk himself is one giant conflict of interest."
Drummond pointed out the various companies Musk owns, such as SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla, which are regulated by federal agencies, while he also maintains close ties with President Trump. She emphasized the significant influence of the tech industry, stating, "You think about the trillions of dollars involved in all of those companies and those businesses. There is so much power in the technology industry, and when you combine that with, you know, essentially collusion with the federal administration, or at least a willingness to work hand-in-hand with the Trump administration, that's what we're about to see."
Newt Gingrich, a former Speaker of the House and Trump ally, acknowledged the potential for conflicts of interest but argued that Musk's wealth reduces the likelihood of unethical behavior. He stated, "Well, I think you always have to look at the danger of conflicts of interest with anybody. But at the same time, I would say that one of the virtues of being as wealthy as he is, is he hardly needs to rig the game."
Gingrich, known for advocating smaller government in the 1990s, noted that today's government faces more significant challenges, including increased bureaucracy and deficits. He praised Musk's ability to challenge the "deep state" and bring about substantial changes. However, he admitted that the DOGE initiative's sweeping cuts might lead to unintended consequences, saying, "Some people are gonna get hurt, let's be honest."
Elaine Kamarck from the Brookings Institution warned against drastic reductions in government staff, stating, "People will die. It's that serious." She contrasted the current approach with the more deliberate process of the 1990s, emphasizing the lack of transparency in the current administration's actions.
Despite the White House's claims of transparency, concerns about Musk's influence persist. Drummond noted, "It's very clear, and I think should be very clear to anyone who has watched Elon Musk and how he operates for any period of time, his work ethic and his ambitions are limitless." She suggested that Musk's involvement could lead to significant changes in federal agencies and infrastructure.