Trump, Musk plan to defund Education Department amid spending cuts

Elon Musk is playing a pivotal role in President Donald Trump's initiative to defund the federal Education Department, a move that could significantly impact millions of students and educators across the U.S. Musk has publicly expressed confidence that Trump will succeed in dismantling the department, which manages nearly $2 trillion in student debt and provides critical funding to low-income school districts. Reports indicate that the Trump administration is considering executive orders to eliminate the department, amidst concerns from many about the ramifications for vulnerable communities reliant on federal aid. The effort is part of a broader strategy by Musk to cut government spending, which has already seen reductions in agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development. Additionally, other public entities like National Public Radio have been targeted for defunding, as Musk calls for them to become financially independent. Critics argue that such cuts could exacerbate funding disparities in public education, particularly in states that heavily depend on federal support.