Over 100 Musk-Linked Officials Shape Trump Government Cuts

Elon Musk, despite no longer heading the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), remains a significant influence in Republican politics and federal government operations, leveraging his business interests and political connections. ProPublica investigations reveal that over 100 private-sector executives and investors, many tied to Musk's companies, have been embedded within federal agencies to help downsize government, raising concerns about conflicts of interest as some continue to hold financial ties to their previous employers. This network, largely composed of young men with limited government experience, has been involved in regulating industries they once worked for and making significant agency cuts, potentially compromising public interest. Progressive critics emphasize the need to counter Musk's right-wing agenda and warn against forgetting the corruption and influence he wielded during his time in government, as highlighted in a report from Sen. Elizabeth Warren's office. Musk’s political alignment remains strongly Republican, and his hypothetical third-party efforts appear unlikely to expand beyond this base. The ongoing presence of Musk-aligned individuals in government underscores the intertwined relationship between Musk’s business ventures and Republican political priorities under President Donald Trump's administration.