The recent events surrounding the continuing resolution have brought to the forefront the alarming influence of Elon Musk and other plutocrats on the US political landscape. Their actions, particularly in the context of the current spending bill, have raised serious concerns about their commitment to democratic values and made clear their kleptocratic intentions.

As reported by Newsweek, Elon Musk’s opposition to the spending bill, which was followed by Trump’s similar stance, has led to a potential government shutdown. This move has been seen as a power play by both individuals, with Musk being hailed as the “President” by some Democrats in a tongue-in-cheek manner. However, this labeling is not entirely unfounded, given Musk’s significant influence on Trump’s policy decisions.

The New Republic notes that Trump is now rushing to remind the media that he is the captain of the GOP, not Elon Musk. However, this attempt to reassert his authority only highlights the blurred lines between the two individuals’ interests. Musk’s involvement in the spending bill debacle has been seen as a manifestation of his own self-interest, rather than a genuine concern for the welfare of the American people.

Furthermore, the fact that Musk has been tapped by Trump to head the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an extra-governmental body with no legal authority, raises serious questions about the potential for corruption and cronyism. As reported by Wikipedia, Musk’s appointment to this position was a reward for his loyalty to Trump, and the millions in campaign contributions that came with it, rather than any sort of merit-based selection.

The behavior of both Musk and Trump is reminiscent of post-Cold War kleptocratic regimes, where Putin and others used their political influence to accumulate wealth and consolidate their grip on power after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In this case, Musk’s vast wealth and cult of personality have given him an disproportionate amount of sway over Trump’s policy decisions, which in turn have significant implications for the country.

The Independent reports that Musk’s meddling in the spending bill has led to a pre-Christmas chaos for lawmakers, with a government shutdown looming. This is a stark example of the danger of ceding power to these two individuals, who routinely pursue their own without regard for the consequences of their actions.

While hardly a new phenomena, the recent events surrounding the continuing resolution have highlighted the deeply rooted kleptocracy embedded in the US political system. The influence of moneyed interests such as Musk, like the Rockefellers, Koch brothers, and countless others before him, over Congress and the Presidency, and thus over the country’s policy decisions, is a cause for concern. As the country moves forward into this uncharted territory of blatant kleptocracy, what will be done to ensure that the democratic values of transparency, accountability, and representation are upheld, and that the interests of the American people are prioritized over the self-interest of these powerful individuals?

5 Citations

Elon Musk Called ‘President’ as Trump Follows in His Footsteps on CR Bill – Newsweek
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-elon-musk-spending-bill-cuts-pass-difficult-2003330

Views of Elon Musk – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Views_of_Elon_Musk

Trump Sure Seems Pissed at Elon Musk Over the Spending Bill | The New Republic
https://newrepublic.com/post/189580/trump-reaction-pissed-elon-musk-spending-bill

President Musk: Dems Troll Trump by Saying Elon Is in Charge
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/president-musk-dems-troll-trump-elon-1235211922/

Elon Musk slams Justin Trudeau after prime minister calls Trump’s victory a setback for women’s progress | Daily Mail Online
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14184093/elon-musk-justin-trudeau-prime-minister-donald-trump.html