As Donald Trump tries to maneuver his way to invoking the Insurrection Act, declaring martial law, calling out the military to go after American citizens, and generally establishing himself as an authoritarian leader against all the intents and provisions of the U.S. Constitution he figuratively wipes his ass with every day, we seem to have thankfully let go of his overblown, steel-cage-match-level-hyped back-and-forth with former co-president Elon Musk.
As you may recall, it was a case of two filthy rich, entitled, egomaniacs sniping at each other like a couple of kids on the playground, highlighted when Musk said the magic words “Jeffrey Epstein,” causing too many people on the left to swoon at the thought of it being proven that Trump’s a pedophile with an appetite for underaged girls.
Of course, the media devoted tons of attention to this story – one that should have been reported and but need not have been so overblown. As we – and hopefully they – move on to more important things, here’s a reminder for those who may have forgotten: Musk is a corrupt piece of shit.
I think that about says it.
The longer Musk is away from government the more people will forget about the damage he inflicted and the corruption that was the trademark of the way he went about his business. And the way Republicans in Congress gave Musk a free pass to do whatever he wanted. We can’t forget that.
To help, the office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren has produced a reported titled, “Special Interests Over the Public Interest: Elon Musk’s 130 Days in the Trump Administration.” The report notes that the former head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) increased his net worth by over $100 billion since Election Day.
Nice work if you can get it.
The report is only about a dozen pages long, and it’s chock full of specific allegations. It’s definitely worth the read.
Let’s look at a summary of some of Warren’s allegations.
*Official government time and resources have been spent promoting Musk’s businesses.
*Federal government agencies – perhaps influenced by Musk or seeking his favor – have entered into or explored new lucrative contracts for his companies and turned to his companies for services.
*Federal agencies have dropped investigations into Musk companies, declined to enforce regulations against them, or foregone penalties that appear to have been warranted.
*Largely guided by Musk’s DOGE, the Trump administration has hamstrung the agencies overseeing Musk’s companies, gutting their staff, throwing sand in the gears of their operations, and embedding DOGE staff loyal to Musk.
*Agencies have pursued policy changes and regulatory approvals that benefit Musk’s companies.
*Musk received special access to sensitive government meetings, classified information, and proprietary government data that can boost his companies.
*Musk has been involved in selecting and installing personnel loyal to him in agencies that regulate or contract with his companies.
*Musk appeared to redirect foreign aid and immigration policy toward his personal parochial interests rather than the public’s interest.
*Musk’s companies reportedly used the promise of federal assistance – or threat of federal penalties – to extract better deals from business partners and competitors.
*The Trump administration weaponized federal enforcement powers against Musk’s enemies.
*Musk’s influence-peddling in Congress will benefit his bottom line.
*Musk secured deals with foreign nations and companies, often after using his unique access to Trump administration policy discussions and staff.
*Musk’s family members also received new business opportunities soon after Musk became a top advisor to the president.
*Musk used his influence to meddle in the political and judicial processes in ways that could help protect his political – and financial – interests.
*Despite calls for the government to practice “maximum transparency,” Musk has failed to inform the American people of critical information about his potential conflicts of interest.
You can read the report here.
Hopefully, Musk will forever be stained by the tens of thousands of children who have or will die after he directed that millions of dollars of foreign aid be cut off. Gotta cover those tax cuts for rich guys like him some way.
We’re at a critical juncture in the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to destroy our democracy and the rule of law. The history books will document the evil of Musk, his DOGE incels, and the men and women who chose to forsake whatever morality and character they possessed – probably not much to being with -- to help enrich the richest man in the world.
The scary thing is, compared to what’s coming, we may look back and see all this as just some quaint, old-fashioned corruption.
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