Musk Proposes Raises to Combat Corruption

Elon Musk, appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has proposed increasing salaries for Congress members to reduce corruption, a reversal from his previous stance against a similar measure. In December, Musk opposed a government funding bill that included a 3.8% salary increase for lawmakers, falsely claiming it would be a 40% hike. Despite the $174,000 annual salary of lawmakers being frozen since 2009, Musk argues that competitive pay could prevent corruption, an idea supported by some good-government advocates. Musk's proposal aligns with strategies used in other countries, like Singapore, to deter corruption through high public servant salaries. The DOGE program, which aims to cut federal spending and bureaucracy, has led to significant controversy, including mass resignations from Musk's staff. Musk's recent comments reflect a broader debate on the role of compensation in public service ethics and efficiency.